Just Beans Science Project

My neighbor is doing a bean science project this year.  I'm helping.  Mentoring I guess.  Or proctoring.  Something at any rate.

I decided he should do a bit of research.  Answer some questions for me.  This is open invite to all my friends in the computer to add questions also!

Bean

A bean seed growing a new plant is called germinating.  How do bean seeds germinate?  Do they need light, water and/or a certain temperature?

What are the parts of the sprouting baby plant called?

Do the baby plants need special care?  Do they need fertilizer?

What type of soil is best for growing beans to produce a good crop of beans?  What if you are just wanting to produce a good crop of green leaves?
 
What nutrients does a bean plant need to grow and produce a good crop?

What and how frequently do you intend to feed your bean plants?

How often does the baby bean plant need to be watered?

How often does the mature bean plant need to be watered?

How can bean plants be classified?  Describe the bean plant characteristics that you are growing.

When do you harvest the beans?

How do you harvest the beans?

How do you prepare them for cooking or storing?

What is the nutritional value of beans?

What does ‘planting a cover crop’ mean?  Why do many farmers plant beans as a cover crop?

What plant family is the bean part of?  What other plants are in this family?

Botanically, is the bean a vegetable or a fruit?

What types of diseases or pests do you need to look out for on your bean plants?

What are things you can do to help reduce the chance of diseases or pests?

What are things you can do to help produce a bumper crop of beans?

How long does a bean plant live?

How would you pick and save seed so you could grow more bean plants in the spring?