Question: My bean plants have turned tan, and the plants appear to be dying. What causes that?

Answer: That’s damage of your old friends, spider mites. They attack many vegetables, but beans are among their very favorites. You can use an insecticide labeled to eliminate them, but harvest all the beans that are of the proper size before you spray. Be sure you spray the backs of the leaves as well, since that’s where they’re most active. If the plants are as tan as you indicate, it may not be possible to save them.