Green beans farming is one of the most profitable agribusinesses in the Philippines due to its high demand, especially during the month of December.
Green beans (scientific name: Phaseolus vulgaris), also known as Baguio beans, and snap beans, are abundant in Calabarzon, Northern Luzon, and parts of Western Visayas where it is grown commercially.
To start bean cultivation in the Philippines, you need to acquire farmland, deforest and burn the shrubs and grasses, and buy a hybrid bean species for better yield, then start monitoring your plant until it is mature for harvest after 120 days. Following this work, weeds and pests must be controlled on the farm on an ongoing basis.
We’ll show you how to grow Baguio beans in the Philippines. Beans are a major source of protein, and there’s always a high demand for them.
The green bean plant grows quickly in your vegetable garden, producing large quantities of tender, annual vegetables that are easy to grow and harvest
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Green Beans Farming: How to Plant Baguio Beans
Snap beans grow in a compact space and can still be productive even with limited space.
- Green bean seeds should be sown directly into the soil instead of starting the growing process indoors. Bean plants have fragile roots, making transplanting them difficult.
- It is essential to ensure that the soil temperature is at least 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit before sowing green bean seeds to avoid slow germination or rot. In air temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, green beans produce the highest yields.
- Before planting Baguio beans, a trellis or teepee must be established to give the beans a base to grow around. For the teepee option, you will need to collect three long branches, or bamboo poles, that are roughly six to seven feet tall, and bind their tops together while spacing out their bottoms into a circle. Then when the vines start to come in, begin guiding them up the poles, encouraging them to climb up throughout the season.
- Make sure you have enough space. Plant them about one to one and a half inches deep and three inches apart, and space them in rows 18 inches apart. In rows two to three feet apart, plant three or four seeds around each pole if you are planting pole beans.
How to Grow Baguio Beans
To thrive, green beans require only light maintenance and care.
- You should balance your soil pH. Green beans prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of around 6.0. Since green beans fix their own nitrogen, normal, rich soil can grow quality plants without fertilizer. In the event that pole beans are continuously growing, they may need to be supplemented with compost halfway through the growing season.
- Green bean plants need six to eight hours of full sun per day. Make sure they have full access to direct sunlight. High temperatures can cause blossoms to fall off your plants, so protect them with row covers.
- Maintain well-drained soil for your beans to avoid rotting and powdery mildew. Water them about two inches per week. Make sure the water is applied directly to the soil.
- Make sure your soil is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit and relatively moist. Mulching will keep your soil warm and prevent it from drying out.
Harvesting Baguio Beans
In general, bush beans can be harvested within 50–55 days, while pole beans can be picked in 55–60 days. When the bean pods are four to six inches long and slightly firm, and before the beans begin to protrude through the skin, they are ready to harvest. Pick the beans gently from the plant, taking care not to tear the blooms. Harvest often to stimulate sprouting.
You can download the full green beans farming guide in PDF format here.
Questions Related to Green Beans Farming
Is Green beans farming profitable?
In 2016, there were 13,754 hectares planted with Baguio beans. The average net profit to cost ratio of Baguio beans production is 187.7% which is considered highly profitable.
How long do Baguio beans take to grow?
The crop grows best in medium to high elevations with temperature ranges from 16 to 29oC. It also thrives best in well-drained, clay loam soil, rich in organic matter with a pH ranging from 6 to 6.8. It matures 70 to 80 days after sowing and the green pods are ready for harvest 12 – 16 days after flowering.
Where in the Philippines is Baguio beans intensively cultivated?
La Trinidad, Benguet is one major agricultural area in the country where common beans or Baguio beans, as it is locally called have long been intensively cultivated.
What variety is Baguio beans?
Green beans are known by many common names, including French beans (French: haricot vert), string beans (although most modern varieties are “stringless”), and snap beans or simply “snaps.” In the Philippines, they are also known as “Baguio beans” or “habichuelas” to distinguish them from yardlong beans.
What is the average yield of string beans per hectare?
Baguio beans harvest is approximately two weeks after bloom. The average yield for snap beans is 4400 kg per hectare.
How many kilos of beans does one plant produce?
Generally, one bean plant will produce 20 pods and each pod can have 5 to 6 beans, so the total number of beans per plant is approximately 100 to 120.
What is the difference between Baguio beans and sitaw?
Sitaw grows on vines. The Baguio bean is grown on either bushes or vines. Since Baguio beans are strings beans that are harvested while still green, the kind of string bean that is planted is what makes these beans different. The sitaw is commonly grown as a vine.
What is Baguio beans rich in?
Baguio beans are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K with a high content of fiber and folic acid. They have high mineral contents that are good for our health, making them a good source of calcium, silicon, iron, manganese, potassium, and copper.
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