Hello dear Ecency & Hive family! 👋
Yesterday I went out to my small farm here in Lusaka, Zambia to check on my green beans, and what a pleasant surprise I got! The plants have moved from just growing leaves to full flowering stage, and the young tender beans have already started developing. Seeing those delicate white and pale yellow flowers turning into slim, vibrant green pods is such a rewarding sight for any farmer.
I captured these moments yesterday
during the golden hour. The plants are looking healthy with their broad trifoliate leaves, though I noticed a few yellow spots here and there (probably minor nutrient stress or early pest pressure – I’ll keep monitoring). The flowers are blooming beautifully in small clusters, and you can clearly see the tiny bean pods forming right behind the faded blossoms.
Green beans (also known as French beans or Phaseolus vulgaris) are one of my favorite crops to grow because they are relatively fast-growing and give multiple harvests if well managed. In Zambia’s climate, they do very well during the warm season, especially with consistent watering. I’m using drip irrigation in my field to make sure the moisture is even, which seems to be helping a lot.
Looking at the wider field shots, the rows are coming along nicely. Some plants are bushier than others, which is normal depending on variety and spacing. I planted improved varieties that are known for good pod setting and disease resistance. My goal is to have a good yield so I can supply my family with fresh vegetables and possibly sell the surplus at the local market.
Farming in Zambia comes with its challenges – unpredictable weather, pests like aphids and bean flies, and occasional soil fertility issues. But moments like today, when you see your hard work literally bearing fruit (or pods in this case), make everything worth it. There’s something deeply satisfying about growing your own food from seed to plate.
I would love to hear from fellow farmers and gardeners in the community:
What varieties of green beans do you grow in your area?
Any tips for dealing with flower drop or improving pod set?
How do you manage pests organically?
I’m planning to do a follow-up post once the pods are fully mature and ready for harvest. Maybe even share some simple Zambian recipes using fresh green beans!
If you’re into gardening, permaculture, sustainable farming, or just love seeing real-life agricultural progress, drop a comment, upvote, and reblog so more people can see the beauty of small-scale farming in Zambia.
Let’s keep supporting each other in this journey of growing food and building food security
