Newstead, you might try amending the soil. I sometimes grows a cover crop over the winter, then turn it under come spring. Once the beans start to grow, I add fresh compost too. I grew Purple Royalty bush beans this year. They have a deep purple pod with brown beans like the Kentucky Wonder. You might experiment with different types or ask a local garden shop what grows best in your area and go from there. I can't grow Blue Lake beans, never had much luck with them. You might try one called Contender.

Hello Mamag! I too live in a small town, but in Indiana. I have been growing organic since 1993. The food is just better quality and it taste beter when you grow it yourself.