Magic Beans

When customers began asking David Baldwin of the Natural Gardening Co. for edamame (soybean) plants and seeds, he wanted to oblige them. Unfortunately, the owner of the Petaluma-based retail and mail-order company initially had a hard time fulfilling the requests.

“I was surprised at how difficult it was to find the seed,” says Baldwin, who finally located ‘Butterbean,’ a soybean variety that he sells mail-order. “It’s easy to grow soybeans in the home garden.”

Edamame, a common appetizer served in Japanese restaurants, have become popular and are now appearing at some grocery stores. Considering how healthful soy is, the fact that people are eating edamame is good news, says Newport Beach registered dietitian Lisa Licavoli.

“When soybeans are eaten fresh from the garden, you get optimum amounts of healthful nutrients like genisten, a potent phytochemical that has been linked with the reduction of breast cancer and symptoms of PMS and menopause,” she says. “Edamame are also high in fiber, iron and protein and have no cholesterol.”

In general, you grow edamame like other shelling beans. They can be planted through July.

Here are some planting, harvesting and preparation tips:

* Choose a warm, sunny site with good drainage. Loosen the soil well and if you have heavy clay or fast-draining sandy soil, work in an amendment, such as bagged or homemade compost, at a rate of 50%.

* Sow seeds 1 inch deep and 4 to 6 inches apart. They can be planted directly in the garden, or started in pots and transplanted after they reach 2 inches high and have a well-developed root mass. Seeds should germinate within 10 days.

* Plant in containers. Use a 12- to 18-inch pot and plant as you would in the ground. You’ll need a high-quality potting soil that drains well.

* No support is necessary. ‘Butterbeans’ are a bush variety that reaches 18 to 24 inches high and require no staking.

* Keep plants well-watered but not soggy.

* Ground-grown bean plants generally require no fertilizer. Container-grown edamame plants need a bi-monthly application of an all-purpose, well-balanced organic fertilizer.

* Keep plants producing well by harvesting regularly. Beans should be ready to pick within two to three months of planting the seed. You can tell they are ready to eat when the bean fills the hairy pod and the pod has lost its bright green color and become a dull green.

* To prepare for consumption, parboil the pods for several minutes in salty water and then place in the refrigerator to chill. They also freeze well.

The Natural Gardening Co., (707) 766-9303; https://www.naturalgardening.com.