Every summer at Oak Spring Farm, there’s one crop that quietly becomes the star of the CSA box: green beans and their colorful cousins—yellow wax beans, purple beans, and the strikingly speckled Dragon Tongue beans.

They’re crisp, sweet, beautiful, and—let’s be honest—labor-intensive to harvest. But we do it because we know you love them. And when you taste these tender pods, picked fresh and full of life, you understand why they’re worth the effort.

🛡️ Growing Great Beans—The Secret’s in the Netting (or the beneficials)

Beans might seem like a simple crop, but they’re surprisingly vulnerable—especially to one persistent pest: the Mexican Bean Beetle. Years ago, I realized that if I wanted to keep growing great beans without spraying, I’d have to get ahead of the beetles.

So we started using insect netting over the bean beds. It turns out, beans don’t need pollination to produce fruit—they self-pollinate—so we can safely keep them covered until their first harvest. This barrier keeps beetles out, reduces damage, and allows us to grow high-quality beans, without pesticides.  

Now there are beneficial insects who eat the bean beetle larva. My friends Jack and Beckie Gurley use this method and it works well. We have used it in the past at OSF too.

The most well-known beneficial insect that controls bean beetles (especially the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis) is:

Pediobius foveolatus

• Type: Tiny parasitic wasp

• How it works: It lays its eggs inside Mexican bean beetle larvae. The wasp larvae develop inside the beetle larvae, eventually killing them.

• Target: Specifically effective against Mexican bean beetles, which are a type of leaf-eating lady beetle.

Additional Supportive Insects:

While Pediobius foveolatus is the most specific and effective biological control, generalist predators can also help:

• Lacewing larvae (Chrysoperla spp.)

• Lady beetles (other species, like Hippodamia convergens)

• Spined soldier bugs (Podisus maculiventris)

• Minute pirate bugs (Orius insidiosus)

We use all of the above and are releasing lady beetles, minute pirate bugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps called aphid killers and aphid eliminators (Aphidoletes) in our tunnels right now to control aphids on the cucumbers and tomatoes.

Back to Beans:

We currently grow:

• Provider green beans – tender and reliable

• Rocdor yellow wax beans – buttery and mellow

• Dragon Tongue beans – a creamy, heirloom shell bean with gorgeous purple streaks

• Two kinds of purple beans – beautiful raw, green when cooked.

They’re delicate. They’re hand-picked. They’re a fan favorite—and we love bringing them to your table.

🌿 Nutritional Powerhouses in a Pod

Don’t let their lightness fool you—beans are packed with nutrition.

A 1-cup serving of cooked green beans contains:

• Fiber – great for digestion and blood sugar balance

• Vitamin C – supports your immune system

• Vitamin K – essential for bone health and healing

• Folate – key for cell growth and energy

• Silicon – a lesser-known mineral important for healthy bones and skin

They’re low in calories, rich in antioxidants, and full of plant-based goodness that supports heart health, metabolism, and overall wellness.

🥗 3 Easy Ways to Enjoy Them

Beans are versatile. Here are three simple ways to make the most of them:

1. Blanched & Tossed on Salads
   
   Boil a pot of salted water, blanch your beans for 2–3 minutes, then dunk in an ice bath. This keeps their vibrant color and crispness. Toss them over salad greens with a drizzle of olive oil, lemon juice, and flaked sea salt.

2. Add to a Crudité Platter with Homemade Ranch
   
   Use those blanched beans as a crunchy, colorful dipper on a veggie tray. Pair with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a quick homemade ranch (Greek yogurt, mayo, dill, garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt). Kids and adults alike love it.

3. Sautéed with Garlic & Olive Oil
   
   Heat a pan, drizzle in olive oil, and toss in your trimmed beans with a clove of minced garlic. Sauté until just tender and finish with a splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Delicious with grilled chicken or eggs.

🧊 Storing Beans for Freshness

• Store unwashed beans in a loosely closed paper or produce bag in your fridge’s crisper drawer.

• Avoid airtight containers—they trap moisture and lead to spoilage.

• Use within 5–6 days for peak flavor and texture.

At Oak Spring Farm, we believe the best food is fresh, local, organic, and grown with care. Beans are a shining example of that. They may take time to pick, but the taste—and your enthusiasm—make every harvest worth it.

Thanks for appreciating the hard work that goes into every handful.

See you at the next pickup,

Lisa & the Oak Spring Farm Team