too late for more bush beans?

 
Chicago, Zone 5 here.

I grew some bush string beans this year, and I'm wondering if it's too
late to start one more crop.  I'm going to see if I can start some
lettuce and some chard, as well.  I know they are "cool weather" friendly.

I ask about the beans, because a long time gardener told me that after the
first batch of beans is harvested, any more beans from that same plant are
sub-optimal, so starting a fresh crop is advised?  I don't know a thing
about it, so I'm asking here.  For what it's worth, I've just picked the
second batch of beans off the plants, and i'll be cooking and eating them
tonight, so I'll know if the second crop sucks.

Oh, and beets?  I don't think I'll bother with them again.  So far, I have
some beets, about as big as a thumb, half sticking up out of the ground.
Lots of puny leaves.  Wonder what they were missing, to be so pathetic?

 

My zone 5 has an average first frost of Sept 20 or so.     Reason says
that you don't have time.     OTOH--  We've had a hard frost in early
Sept-- followed by 6 weeks of August weather.     I've protected
tender plants and been rewarded.   [I've also protected them some
years and been laughed at by the weather gods.]

"Are you feeling lucky, kid?"    What have you got to lose?  1/2 hour
and a couple dozen seeds?


Potash.   But don't give up on them.   You've still got plenty of time
for them to come around.    Talk nice to them.  Mulch 'em a bit.
Remember them in mid-October.

Jim

 

On Mon, 5 Sep 2011, Jim Elbrecht wrote:


I was thinking I could make a hoop and cover them every night.


why are they half sticking up out of the ground, though?  Should I cover
them up with soil?

 I'm of the belief the plants are aware of the declining days (light),
etc.I planted some sugar peas in the beginning of August, plants came up
nicely, and I had a few pieces out of them.
Certainly not as they grow in the spring.
I even shaded them from the hot sun, and seemingly they were happy with
that..
Even tho my garden shop told me some veggies will do a second crop
here in west PA. I do not believe it.
Again I think plants detect the shorter days.

On 9/5/2011 3:03 PM, barbie gee wrote:

 barbie gee wrote:

How long do you have until the first frost is expected?  You will need 8-10
weeks to be worthwhile.


I

This has not been my experience.  I keep picking them for months and each
batch is just as good as the last except in my (very hot) mid summer when
they get ragged.  After the heat is over they will resume production in my
experience.

David