No garden is complete without these easy to grow and prolific garden vegetables. I love the pole sorts best climbing on my bamboo teepees and fences. These members of the legume family also have the added benefit of the ability to enrich the soil.
The joy of fresh sweet garden peas is my favorite longed for treat of the entire gardening year. Thomas Jefferson's favorite vegetable was the pea, and he had a long running contest with his other farming neighbors for the first peas of the season. The contest started in 1757 and went on nearly every year into the early 1800's. Despite growing over 30 or more types of peas, he lost the contest each and every year! The fabulous purple colored Blue Capucijner peas are on my website banner on every page, and are my personal favorites for beauty. Plus you never have to wait too long to enjoy the first beans or fresh sweet limas of the season, as well.
I wish to thank my friend Cliff, who has a large ranch in Idaho, (the perfect bean growing state in the United States, where virtually every commercial variety of bean is grown for seed). He has helped me to increase the amounts of my unusual and rare beans that I offer for sale. He grows many of my own beans on his ranch using sustainable methods. His help allows me to provide extra rare and nearly extinct bean seed to my fellow gardeners. I also grow the very same rare bean varieties simultaneously in Amishland, but due to limited space, in smaller quantities.
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SOLD OUT FOR 2010! PINK TIP HALF RUNNER BEAN ~aka PEANUT BEAN, “OLD JOE CLARK" ~SCARCE~This fabulous, super rare, triple use (snap, shelly, dry) type bush bean is a sure winner. It has a good bean to foliage ratio of 1:2. It only grows 12-15 inches tall, but it spreads 1-1-1/2 feet in each direction. This is a rare family heirloom, 3 generations deep from Tazewell County, Virginia, which is in the western foothills of the Appalachian Mts, (the Great Valley of VA.) The pods are green in snap stage, and then turn pink after the snap stage. The seed is shiny chestnut brown color. This is an old favorite in the south as a snap, shelly and dry bean. In dry form, when cooked it is said to taste like peanuts, Hence it is also called 'PEANUT BEAN", another old timey name used is "OLD JOE CLARK". The family where the bean came from said: "This is the real McCoy when it comes to Pink Tip Half Runner Bean." This year's seed stock was sustainably grown for me by my dear friend, Cliff, in Idaho. Please see my "NEW FOR 2010" information for more about Cliff. ~SOLD OUT FOR 2010~
NEW FOR 2010! PURPLE PODDED POLE BEAN MIX ~ Very Limited Quantities ~Order Early~This bean mix is the brainchild of my friend Cliff in Idaho who grows out a lot of my beans for me. He felt people would like a mixture of some of the rarer purple pole beans that we can't offer as single varieties since we don't have that quantity of any given kind. He wanted my customers to be able to experience these beauties too. So this mix contains short, mid and long season varieties. You will need a 6-8 foot trellis to grow them properly. With this mix, the beans should bear throughout the season. Includes Dow, Purple Peacock, Purple Podded/Purple Leaf, Purple Marconi, and Trionfo Violetta pole beans. But not necessarily all of these as this is an all mixed-up variety. The photo is only of the Trionfo Violetta but it is typical of the look of all of the pretty purple types. I do however offer the Purple Marconi and the Violetta as single varieties on this page. 10 fresh sustainably grown seeds
NEW FOR 2010! ***SORRY SOLD OUT FOR 210!*** RUTH BIBLE POLE BEAN ~SCARCE~This family heirloom bean is from the Buoys family in Kentucky and dates back to 1832. The vines are quite long and bear heavily. The large pods, like many old time beans, may have slight strings. These are much better when tender and small about 3-4 inches. This year, our first, they grew on a 10 foot trellis. They have a 1:1 beans to foliage ratio. Bean pods are light green in color. Most of the pods were 3-5 inches containing brownish-tan seeds. 63-65 days. This is a great "old timey” bean that produces all season. It is a drought resistant “cornfield type" pole bean. Seed stock this year was grown sustainably by my good friend Cliff in Idaho. The photos for this bean are also taken by Cliff. Please see my “NEW FOR 2010" information for more about Cliff. ***SORRY SOLD OUT***
NEW FOR 2010! POTOMAC POLE BEAN ~SCARCE~This is a great heirloom bean dating from the Virginia side of the Potomac River before 1860. After the Civil War it was carried west by the Barley family to Tehama County, California, where it has been grown for over 125 years. It produced long slender green pods, about 6 1/2 inches long which were slightly curved. These had excellent quality and flavor beans. The plants had a 1:1 beans to foliage ratio. It produced vigorously and heavily. It grew on an 8 foot trellis, but most beans were at the 4-6 foot level. It produced well in the hot dry Idaho summer, but would really probably prefer a cooler/moister climate. It germinates well in cool soil and yields well in cool season areas. The seeds are a dark purple-black color, about 5/8-inch long and slightly flattened in shape. The huge trifoliate leaves grew 6-10" across. I grew up near the water in Maryland and Virginia. I actually to my knowledge never had this exact bean but I may have eaten it as a child without knowing it. I sure hope I did. Seed stock this year was grown sustainably by my good friend Cliff in Idaho. The photos for this bean are also taken by Cliff. Please see my “NEW FOR 2010" information for more about Cliff. 10 fresh sustainably grown seeds
NEW FOR 2010! ***SORRY SOLD OUT*** WHITE CHRISTMAS LIMA BUTTER BEAN ~SCARCE~Only One of 2 USA Sources~ Very Limited Quantities Order Early~ As I write this description it is less than 2 weeks till Christmas, so it seems appropriate. This lovely Lima is derived from an accidental cross of "Christmas" and "Sieva" limas. The original seed came from Brian Heatherington in GA. This was another great bean sustainably grown for me by my dear friend, Cliff, in Idaho. He said it did well in the Idaho climate that is usually not conducive to Lima bean growing. He said the beans to foliage ratio was 1:2, with 2-4 seeds per pod. He grew them on a 10 foot trellis, and said 80% of beans were in or near the top of the trellis. He had a growing season there in Idaho of 75-80 days for this Lima. It produces a beautiful, large seeded ivory-white bean that looks like it has been air-brushed with purple on one end. "White Christmas" yields heavily, and is easy to shell. Evidently it is also a reliable producer in hot, humid areas. Please see my “NEW FOR 2010 " information for more about Cliff. The photos for this bean are also taken by Cliff. ***SORRY SOLD OUT***
NEW FOR 2010! SOUTHERN WILLOW-LEAVED LIMA aka WILLOW LEAF LIMA ~SCARCE~ Very Limited Quantities Order Early~ (86-90 days in Idaho) I am pleased to re-offer this rare Lima bean again after an absence of several years. Unfortunately, this was the least productive of the Limas that my friend Cliff in Idaho grew out for me this summer. He felt the climate there might be wrong. This is the correct name according to WW Tracy, American Garden Bean Varieties.I have had this gorgeous and tropical looking plant top out over 15 to 20 feet in a hot Pennsylvania summer in my zone 6A garden, but for Cliff it was only grew about 10 ft. It bears in the mid to top portion of the trellis. Cliff reports that the bean to foliage ratio is 1:3.
It has great heat and drought resistance due to the odd but ornamental shape of the leaves. It obviously does best in the warm coastal areas and the south. (and not Idaho!) Willow Leafed Lima is reportedly a sport of "Sieva” lima beans released by W Atlee Burpee in 1891. The pods are 3 inches long and contain 2-3 chalky white small beans. Please see my “NEW FOR 2010 information for more about Cliff. The photos for this bean are also taken by Cliff. 10 fresh sustainably grown seeds
NEW FOR 2010! WORCESTER INDIAN RED POLE LIMA~aka Peruvian Lima ~SCARCE~ Very Limited Quantities~ Order Early~ (75 days in Idaho) This was another great lima bean sustainably grown for me by my dear friend, Cliff, in Idaho. It was originally ground into flour by Native Americans, or served with red corn. In the south slaves originally cooked this with brown Goober peas (a close relative of the peanut) and red sweet potatoes for a variation of FuFu, African mashed dumplings. Cliff said he could not find this in the " Bean Bible”: American Garden Bean Varieties, 1907 by WW Tracy. He feels that it must have not been of commercial value at that time. Tracy states that the number of varieties of limas was huge in the 1820s, but many disappeared, with most of production at 1907 in southern states or California. Cliff said that the beans to foliage ratio is 1:1. He found it most productive and grew his on a 10 foot trellis, and said it bears all the way up the trellis. He also notes it does have wild traits; pods do open when they are dry. This trait is called “shattering". There are 3-4 seeds per pod and they are a beautiful deep, nearly purple red color. Sorry, Cliff said his photo isn't the best. Please see my "NEW FOR 2010 information for more about Cliff. The photos for this bean are also taken by Cliff. 10 fresh sustainably grown seeds
SOLD OUT FOR 2010! COSSE VIOLETTE POLE BEAN ~SCARCE~ ALL PURPLE PLANTS!~
This was another great heirloom bean sustainably grown for me by my dear friend ,Cliff , in Idaho. I had very bad growing conditions here this summer in Amishland and only the peas and a few of my beans did well. Here is what Cliff had to say in his own words about this pretty purple bean : " ...violet pole bean, great new selection, 1:1 bean to foliage ratio, very heavy producer unlike many of the violetta beans. Pod clusters of 4-7, bears all season long. Excellent flavor. 65-70 days, needs about 10 foot trellis, bears from bottom to top of trellis, most at middle of trellis. Excellent bonus, stem are purple and almost all leaves have a purple tinge across the top of the leaf. Limited seed available for 2010". Cliff told me he got the original seed from the United Kingdom although it is a French heirloom bean. He plans on growing this one out in a big way next summer so we hope to have lots of seed then. We both are big fans of purple podded pole beans and source every type we can get our hands on to grow out. Remember all purple snap beans turn bright green when blanched (cooked) and it is always fun to do that "trick" when the children are watching in the kitchen. Please see my “NEW FOR 2010" information for more about Cliff. The photos for this bean are also taken by Cliff. ~SOLD OUT FOR 2010~
***SORRY SOLD OUT*** GRANDMA NELLIE'S YELLOW PODDED MUSHROOM POLE BEAN ~SCARCE~Only One of 3 USA Sources~ This was another great bean sustainably grown for me by my dear friend, Cliff, in Idaho. Here is what he said about this rare bean in his own words: “60-65 DAYS, uses 6-7 foot trellis, 1:1 bean to foliage, not super productive, but bears all season long. Has wild trait, pods open when dry. (Note from Lisa- this is called "shattering" in botanical parlance) Very old variety has a white flower, as most beans did in early 1900s (according to Cliff's favorite, WW Tracy's book American Garden Bean Varieties, 1907). Pods are very coarse, (note from Lisa- perhaps try them less than 5" long?) not a snap, rather a shelly, or dry bean. Have not tried cooked beans (mushroom flavor?) Did not think there would be seed for sale, alas no picture! In my research, I was able to find that this bean originally hails from Marge Mozelisky, given to her by her grandmother. The name is such because it supposedly tastes like mushrooms. You will have to take her word for it since neither Cliff nor I have eaten it yet. We saved all the beans for you. The pods are light yellow or wax type. Please see my "NEW FOR 2010" information for more about Cliff. ***SORRY SOLD OUT***
**SOLD OUT** MENNONITE HYACINTH COLOR POLE BEAN RARE LOCAL HEIRLOOM~Not Dolichos Lab Lab~ I was given some seeds of this bean by an Old Order (horse and buggy) Mennonite lady on a rural farm near the village of Terre Hill here in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. She called it "Hyacinth Bean," but please understand that this is not the bean-like vine called Dolichos Lab Lab. This is a true phaseolus bean. It was a pole bean with incredibly strong vines that grew faster than any I have ever grown. And I have grown a lot of pole beans! Unfortunately I lost my only digital picture of this bean. It was a gorgeous round podded bean that was green with long, really deep purple stripes on it. The pods were usually about 6 to 8 inches long. The slightly egg shaped beans inside the pods are a white with burgundy swirls and very shiny and pretty. Just a super bean. I am sorry I know nothing more about it, but it resembles 2 old Swiss/German heirloom beans I have grown, the "Berner Landfrauen" (which I am trying to grow enough of to sell again), and the "Swiss Zebra". Our local sects of Mennonites originally came here from Switzerland and Germany to Pennsylvania in the 1700’s for religious freedom. It has good old fashioned "beany" taste and holds up well even to be overcooked (as the Mennonites tend to do with their vegetable dishes). Give this gorgeous bean a try.
**SOLD OUT**
WIENLANDERIN POLE BEAN - SWISS HEIRLOOM - 65 DAYS~LIMITED QUANTITY-ORDER EARLY!
I used to sell the elusive purple speckled "Landfrauen" Swiss heirloom pole bean, perhaps the best tasting snap bean ever. I am listed as the only commercial source of this bean in the Sixth (2004 -last published-) edition of the Garden Seed Inventory. Unfortunately I don't have enough seed supply to sell them again this year. However, in a search for a close facsimile, I found seeds to the "Weinlanderin," another super Swiss heirloom pole bean. "Weinlanderin" translates as "maid of the wine country." I am pleased to report that these were almost as wonderful as the "Landfrauen" They won hands down, in all of Cliff's bean taste tests this season Just fabulous flavor and aroma, so lacking in beans these days. Pale green stringless pods have lovely purple mottling or streaks. They sometimes have fully purple pods, not a sign of crossing but just its growth habit. They will grow 7-9 inches long, but are best eaten slightly smaller at 5-6 inches. They have that indescribable European Mountain bean flavor. These are also a multi-purpose bean and can be served fresh or dried, and they freeze well too. My friend Cliff in Idaho grew the seed beans sustainably for me. He noted that the ratio of bean to foliage is 1 to 1. Cliff took this beautiful photo as well. I have a very limited quantity of this rare heirloom bean, so be sure to order early. 10 fresh sustainably grown bean seeds.
**SOLD OUT** CASCADE GIANT POLE SNAP BEAN -(55-60 days)- Open Pollinated-This is just the most beautiful Pole bean! We had a terrible drought and colder than normal weather here in Amishland this season, so I had very poor bean production. Luckily, my friend, Cliff in Idaho, increases my bean quantities for me as he has lots of acreage, and he loves beans of all sorts. These seeds will be coming from his farm this year. The straight pods are a mottled purple over dark green. Very early for a pole bean, the earliest I have ever offered. And for a pole bean it is rather managable in size as it sets its crop mostly in the first 3 feet. The lovely pods grow 7 to 10 inches but are best eaten at 5 to 6 inches. They have a mild beany flavor. The seeds, according to Cliff, are one seed per inch in the pod. It was bred from the Oregon Giant Pole Bean in the cool, moist Williamette Valley of Oregon State. It will produce best under the cool moist conditions, but still is very productive in a hotter, dry climate like Idaho. this is just a wonderful, pretty bean ideal for the home gardener and is also great for canning. Cliff says the ratio of foliage to bean production is 1 to 1. This beautiful photo was taken by Cliff also.**SOLD OUT**
***SORRY SOLD OUT*** "KENTUCKY BLUE POLE BEAN" 55-60 days-If you have been looking at any seed catalogues lately, you will see fewer and fewer pole beans being offered for sale. My "Beany" friend, Cliff, who farms in Idaho, the # 1 bean growing for seed state, explained one of the reasons why. He said that the bean combines (machinery for harvesting large quantities of beans) are developed for bush beans. So they get all tangled up when they go into pole bean fields, and break down. Therefore the larger seed farmers no longer want to grow the pole types. "kentucky Blue" is just a fabulous open pollinated cross between the famous "Kentucky Wonder," aka "Texas Pole" or "Old Homestead" pole bean (which I am also listing as new for 2009 this year) and "Blue Lake" pole bean. These two are the most popular pole beans in the USA . The "Kentucky Blue" captures the best qualities of both. They have sweet traditional beany flavor, and unmatched tenderness. You get amazingly prolific yields with the great color and sweetness that " Blue Lake " is known for. Plus you get the old fashioned taste that has made "Kentucky Wonder" a favorite since its introduction in Kentucky before 1864. The name "Kentucky Wonder", by the way, was given in 1877 by Marblehead, MA seedsman James J.H. Gregory. "Kentucky Blue" has round pods 6-7 inches long. It is resistant to some strains of rust and common mosaic virus. My seeds this year were sustainably grown by my "beany" friend, Cliff, on his farm in Idaho. My awful cold and drought ridden summer here in Amishland precluded me having enough seeds for you. Cliff noted that 75% of the beans bear in the first 3 feet of trellis, although they will grow to 6 feet high. ***SORRY SOLD OUT***
~SOLD OUT FOR 2010~ "DRAGON'S TONGUE BUSH SNAP BEAN" aka "Dragon Langerie", "Horticultural Wax", " Merveille de Piemonte" ("Marvel of Piedmont") If you are like me you are entranced by strange names of seeds. When I first began seriously gardening a few years back I came across this bean and just had to have it because of its wonderfully mysterious and romantic nomenclature. Little did I know it would be the best ever wax (yellow) type snap of all! This is an 18th century Dutch (from Holland or the Netherlands not Pennsylvania Dutch) heirloom bean. I haven't a clue why they are best known by French names. These 6" long flat beans are oh so gorgeous pale creamy yellow with streaks of bright purple all down them. This compact plant is only maybe a foot high and the beans get so large they literally drag on the ground. The prolific plants are truly amazing in the quantity you can get in such a small space. Great for small gardens, and I would venture to say could even be grown in containers. Perfect for novice gardeners- you just can't miss with this little bean. The pods when eaten fresh are amazingly juicy, sweet and crisp. They do best very lightly steamed as they get rubbery if cooked too long. Unfortunately ,they tend to lose their lovely lavender markings when cooked too long. Even the seeds are lovely purplish buff with purple/bluish stripes. And it bears purple flowers first. Beautiful at any stage. It will produce extravagantly all season long right up to frost. "Dragon's Tongue" is also considered dual purpose as its dried beans have excellent eating quality too. Allow 60 days for snap beans or 100 days for dry shelling beans. This was a favorite for raw "grazing" in the garden by adults and children alike. I'm "all fired up" about this dragon and you will be too.
~SOLD OUT FOR 2010~
***SORRY SOLD OUT FOR 2010*** MASAI SNAP BEAN- BUSH TYPE-This is a super gourmet mini french filet bean. It's ready to pick at at 50 days. It is vigorous, fast growing, and very heavy bearer throughout the season. One if its good points is you dont have to pick daily. The green 4-6 inch beans are tender and tasty. Plants are very compact, about 12-14 inches tall, and will work very well even in containers. You get dozens of beans per small plant.They bear from mid-summer till frost. In fact fall crops are just as heavy as in summer. I have tried many mini french filet beans, and MASAI is my favorite filet ! This is another of the wonderful beans grown sustainably for me by my great bean friend Cliff in Idaho. ***SORRY SOLD OUT***
NEW! OLD HOMESTEAD POLE BEAN aka "Kentucky Wonder" , "Texas Pole" 65 days -If you only grow one snap bean this season, this old timer is the one to plant. It has lots of history, and an enduring following with good reason- flavor. An heirloom prized by homesteaders in the mid 1800's this bean has never lost its popularity. It was first mentioned in The Country Gentleman Magazine in 1864 as " Texas Pole Bean." Then in 1877 it was reintroduced by James J.H. Gregory and Sons of Marblehead MA as "Kentucky Wonder." Old timers refer to it also as "Old Homestead." The meaty 7-10 inch pods remain very tender when cooked while maintaining its famous nutty flavor. This is a great snap bean for freezing as well. Pole beans are perfect for the small garden as they grow upward in very little space on a teepee or a trellis of poles preferrably with the bark left on so they can climb vigorously. If you have been looking at any seed catalogues lately, you will see fewer and fewer pole beans being offered for sale. My "Beany" friend, Cliff, who farms in Idaho, the # 1 bean state for bean seed growing, explained one of the reasons why. He said that the bean combines (machinery for harvesting large quantities of beans) are developed for bush beans. So they get all tangled up when they go into pole bean fields, and break down. Therefore, the larger seed farmers no longer want to grow the pole types. My seeds this year were sustainably grown by my "beany" friend , Cliff, on his farm in Idaho. My awful cold and drought ridden summer here in Amishland precluded me having enough seeds for you, so Cliff helped out.
10 fresh sustainably grown bean seeds.
SORRY, SOLD OUT FOR THE SEASON BLACK VALENTINE BUSH SNAP BEAN - 53 days - This old heirloom favorite is still to this day heads above nearly every other green podded snap bean out there. Known prior to 1850, a listing for it was in the catologue "Breck's High Grade Seeds" in 1822. it was introduced commercially by Peter Henderson & Co. in 1897. This bean has stood the test of time partly because of its early and very heavy yields continuing all season long. But the succulant, sweet flavor keeps 'em coming back for more. The pods are round and 6 inches long. I was not able to find out why the valentine is in the name. This is a dual purpose bean as the beautiful shiny black seeds are excellent dried for soups. "Black Valentine" has always been prized for its cold hardiness and ability to germinate in cold soil. This heirloom bean can really withstand adverse conditions. Especially good for northern gardens, but grows well everywhere. As an added bonus it is resistant to bean mosaic virus. Oh "Black Valentine" ... I think I love you, will you be my valentine?SORRY , SOLD OUT FOR THE SEASON
***SORRY SOLD OUT FOR 2010*** TRIONFO VIOLETTO ITALIAN PURPLE POLE BEAN Very early, like 60 days or less. Great really nutty sweet beany taste in long 8-10 inch pods. They are thin, crisp, and never get strings. Like all the purple snap beans they turn green when blanched. Great production even under difficult conditions (like this wildlife infested garden!). Scads of violet flowers were very ornamental and each flower turns into a bean. Very long harvest season if continually picked.These are grown for me by my friend Cliff in Idaho. ***SORRY SOLD OUT***
CAPUCIJNERS BLUE POD HEIRLOOM PEAS -aka POIS A CROSSE VIOLETTE - BACK AGAIN FOR 2010! -VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES~ ORDER EARLY These large ancient heirloom peas are a total delight to grow. They are originally from Holland and were grown by the Capuchin Monks. They are a beautiful , delightful, truly deep purple-podded pea.
They are absolutely delicious served in traditional Dutch manner, fresh or dried, soaked overnight, and then pan-fried with bacon and onions. They are considered a soup pea and are best served in their own rich, dark, sweet "gravy" or in soup. Also the eye catching pods may be eaten when quite young as snowpeas. Vines reach to 5-6 ft. and look lovely climbing across a fence or up a trellis. Another example of edible landscaping! But the really fantastic part is that they bear exquisite, sweet-pea-like blooms in a two-tone mauve and purple color. These are every bit as lovely as the traditional cottage garden sweet pea flower and they smell sweet as well.
10 of my own fresh organically grown seeds.
STORTINO DI TRENTO STRIPED ANELLINO BUSH BEANRARE!!!Here is the second most beautiful snap type bean in the world, only beaten by the long vined beauty of "Stortino di Trento Marmorizzato Pole Bean" . It also translates from Italian as "Stortino of Trent marbled shrimp bean" Again , we have the curved "shrimp shaped" beans, only a bit thinner and slightly smaller in size. They seemed to be more striped and less mottled with the purplish red markings, and the seeds are darker and skinnier too. Rather spindly for a bush sort and it had a tendency to throw out "runners" or longer branches of vine, a certain sign of the old age of this heirloom Italian snap bean. I would say the blossoms were a paler pink rather than purple in color. Great culinary taste, as that is what Italians value in their vegetables even over their beauty. Another old Italian heirloom sort that has just been rediscovered. I consider myself very lucky to be one of the very few who has acquired these rare beans and grown them here in the USA to offer to you. They did splendidly here in my zone 6A garden, and I imagine will just about anywhere else, as they were so prolific as well as hardy. They didn't die off until hard frost in November. You will adore these beans, for beauty and fabulous taste.Many thanks to my friend Cliff in Idaho who also helped so much by growing more of these beans sustainably for me. That way I would have enough beans to offer to you in the first year of American growing. 10+ of my own fresh organically grown seeds
RUSSIAN YELLOW BUSH PEA RARE!!! I got this great, rare Russian Yellow soup type pea in a seed trade. The peas are very small, like the French "petit pois" size. They are what is referred to in the pea world as "smooth coated" , not the wrinkled sort. They grew on very sturdy short bushes that did not need staking at all, although I wasn't told what size they would grow and put them by a fence.They were nice and early and like all peas nearly impervious to the cold.They had rather small pods, and I discovered that they were somewhat starchy so surmised that they must be grown for soup pea use. (like you use the split peas for soup). The full sized peas are so tiny that I would say that they are about half the size of what we think of as a normal pea size. They are an unusual pale buttercup yellow in color. Sweet when cooked as a soup porridge ("...pease porridge cold ,nine days old.." , as the old nursery rhyme says) They make a great rich, thick pea soup as they cook down so fast. I tried to get an authentic recipe for Russian style pea soup from my Russian friends and they just laughed like " who can't make pea soup?" So much for that idea. I will also try to get a photo up soon of the dried peas in a bowl so you can see how tiny and cute they are. To the best of my knowledge I am the only USA source of these rare peas.
10 of my own fresh organically grown peas.
PRETZEL BEAN - aka Ram's Horn Bean ~NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2010 This bean will be a sure hit with children and will impress all your neighbors and fellow gardeners. You have never seen anything like it. An old heirloom bean from Lancaster County, grown here for years by the Amish and the Mennonites mostly just for fun. The pictures say it all. It really looks like a green pretzel! Absolutely lovely decorative purple flowers are on the plant at the same time as the beans. It can grow up to 6 feet , so a bit of staking will help, but mine usually are about 4 feet tall. It does best planted in blocks rather than rows. Absolutely showstopping fun for all to see. Can be cooked when young like string beans, but really more for show than culinary use. I guarantee everyone will want the elusive "Pretzel Bean" once they see it growing, and curling exactly like its namesake. I had heard about it and searched for it for years and finally tracked some down at a farm nearby, and got a good crop this year. It likes a bit of drought.
SORRY SOLD OUT FOR SEASON
EVA'S "BIRDIE" BEAN -(BUSH SHELLING TYPE) -SOLD OUT FOR THE SEASON - EXCLUSIVE~Pennsylvania Family HEIRLOOM -
- Eva was my very dear local Pennsylvania Dutch (aka Pennsylvania German) farm lady friend. She passed away at 89 years old this year in mid sentence asking her son about how big were his fish on his latest fishing trip. That's the way to go! I miss her so much! I go to her grave now and talk to her about how her gardens and mine have been doing .She put in a several acre vegetable garden all by herself each year and had been saving her family's heirloom seeds all her life. Her family is still farming in the same fertile valley here in Lacaster County PA as they have for over 5 generations! They still have several farms all adjoining each other. Her son Jerry, still farms right down the lane from her house, and they rent out another of her farms next door to a dairy farmer. This was one of Eva's personal favorite beans. She calls them "Birdie Beans" since they resemble speckled wild bird eggs. They are her own local sub-variety of an old time horticultural bean eaten in the " shelly " stage (like the way we usually eat lima beans.) Sweet and pretty, the beans are pinkish white with speckles and streaks of red. They tend to change color each year a bit according to the weather that year and this year's crop were more brownish with brown red streaks. The pods are a gorgeous buff with cerise red streaks, very ornamental and not unlike my "Heirloom Pole Bean" in coloration. But these are a bush bean which sometimes throws out runners. You can cram alot of these plants in a very small space. Very disease resistant as well, and obviously quite acclimated to our Zone 6A area. These beans freeze or can nicely, but the best way to save them is to leave them to dry on the plant. Try these "shellies" in Italian or French cuisine, where fresh beans are called for. Eva's liked to make her pickled 3 bean salad using these as one of the beans. She also made the PA Dutch relish called "chow-chow" using these as one of the ingredients as well. Try growing them the Pennsylvania Dutch way, planting them on "Bean Day," which is June 3 if you live in the same or similar growing zone. Planting beans too early only encourages bugs to come in sooner. Eva was a firm believer in planting by the moon cycles as well, and her gardens were the most prolific I have ever seen. I was still learning such tricks and techniques from her each time I visited her.
SORRY SOLD OUT FOR SEASON
~SOLD OUT FOR 2010~ TRUE RED CRANBERRY POLE DRY BEAN- One of Only 2 Seed Sources! ~1700's HEIRLOOM-LIMITED QUANTITIES
This is the rare heirloom bean that was rediscovered by celebrated bean collector, John Withee. He searched for 11 years for this bean after reading about a " Red Cranberry" bean in a 1700's gardening enclyclopedia. He finally discovered it growing on a Mr. Taylor's farm in Steep Falls, Maine. These beans are fat and shiny and a wondrous deep cranberry red color that does not show up well in photos. I am asking a friend to scan these beans as my photos of them in a bowl do not do justice to their beauty. These beans really do look like real cranberries, only a bit darker red in color. These are probably one of America's oldest bean varieties, probably of Native American origin . True Red Cranberry beans grow on stocky, short 6 foot vines and can take the cold and short growing seasons better than any other bean I have grown. They have a rich flavor unlike any other bean I have tasted They are one of my personal favorites not only for beauty but for taste.
~SOLD OUT FOR 2010~
-PURPLE PODDED POLE BEAN - BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!- This is a heavenly, almost fluorescent purple pole bean, hailing from the Ozark mountains. This lovely heirloom beauty was found growing in a garden the 1930's by the old Henry Fields Seed Company. It is most likely of European origin and probably dating much earlier than that . Very vigorous grower of vines reaching easily over 6 -8 feet , but not out of control like some pole types I have grown. I grow mine on bamboo poles intertwined with my lovely purple "Grandpa Otts Morning Glory". It is stunning that way. It is a favorite bean for growing for children, since it "magically" turns bright green when cooked right before their very eyes. Plus the pods are so easy for youngsters (and oldsters) to see and pick. Try growing a living "fort" on a bamboo teepee for your kids with these. These gorgeous snap beans are stringless, nice and meaty . They are less than 1/2 inch across by about 5-7 inches long. The entire bean plant just glows and is quite ornamental with purple vines and veins in the leaves, and as you can see in the photo lovely bi-colored purple flowers as well. Fairly early for a pole sort. Seed is a buff brown color, with a hint of lavender. 10 of my own sustainably grown fresh beans.
NEW FOR 2009!- HARWIG'S HEIRLOOM BELGIUM POLE "FILET" SNAP BEAN- RARE!- - BABY BEANS ON A POLE! - I was thrilled to get seed of this rare family heirloom pole bean, through a friend out west. This Minnesota family heirloom was brought to the United States from Belgium in the early 1900's by D. Harwig's grandmother. What makes this bean so extra special is a quality I have never encountered before in a pole sort. This is a fancy, filet-type snap green bean, very tiny and thin and only 4-6 inches long. The 6 to 8 foot long vines are absolutely encrusted with hundreds of these specialty gourmet "french style" type beans. You never saw such production, especially in this type of gourmet bean. Filet beans are usually on short,small bushes, and by nature not plentiful like these pole sorts. Heavy yielding and prolific is an understatement. Fabulous, very delicate flavor make this a real winner for all you lovers of things French (or Flemish). I bet Julia Child or the most famous Belgian, Hercule Poirot, would have loved these baby beans ! My special thanks to my friend Cliff who acquired and grew out these wonderful beans for me on his ranch in Idaho.Cliff grows all his beans sustainably, without pesticides. This beautiful photo was also taken by Cliff on location. 10 fresh sustainably grown bean seeds. RARE!
BACK FOR 2009 - VERMONT APPALOOSA DRY BEAN -
dual purpose as dry/snap bean.- I received my original beans of this incorrectly labelled in a seed trade. They were suposed to be a very rare runner bean ( Phaseolus coccineus) . But alas, they were Phaseolus vulgaris, what we know as a snap/dry/soup bean, and were from an altogether different bean family. However, I was curious as to what they would produce, since they were a pretty spotted bean unlike any I had ever seen before. They had odd swirls of spots in black, brown, tan and white and were almost halved in color. So plant them I did, and was very plesed with the long pale, flat, green snap beans that it produced. This was a smallish, short , pole bean type, not really long vines, maybe 3 feet high at the most, but not a bush bean as it threw out runners. I would call them more of a half-runner sort. Nice crisp flesh, that held nicely on the vine, without getting lumpy or tough. Nice and prolific, and VERY resistant to insects. I finally was able to positively identify these as the old time Vermont Appaloosa Bean, so named because they look like the rump of this breed of spotted horse. Eat some early in the season as snap beans and leave some to dry on the vine in late summer or fall for dry beans. 10 of my own fresh organically grown bean seeds.
PURPLE ITALIAN MARCONI STRINGLESS POLE BEANS- SCARCE~LIMITED QUANTITIES ORDER EARLY~
Just in from Italy, a fabulous violet purple Italian pole bean. I was so pleased with these pole snap beans. Vigorous and growing on strong vines up to 8 feet, these are just too beautiful to eat! These were grown on a trellis but they got so big and strong we had to attach an "addition" onto the fence holding up the trellis. They are very ornamental and lovely. The "Purple Marconi Pole Beans" have flat 5-7 inch long pods that turn green when blanched, but the color can be maintained if steam blanched for under 2 minutes. These have a sweet but hearty taste, and are best picked young.Another edible ornamental for your garden, try them raw with crudites for their gorgeous color. Pretty early for a pole sort at 67 days to maturity. The color of the pods makes for fast harvesting and makes it so easy for kids, who love to pick them and then watch them turn a bright green color when they are cooked.The kids will eat their veggies now! A rare beauty! My special thanks to my friend Cliff who acquired and grew out these wonderful beans for me on his ranch in Idaho.Cliff grows all his beans sustainably, without pesticides. The lovely photo is also taken by Cliff on location. 10 fresh sustainably grown bean seeds.
SCARLET EMPEROR RUNNER BEAN ~SOLD OUT~ (Phaseolus coccineus). A member of the Leguminosae, or legume family (70+ days). A traditional, and highly successful red flowered bean. Scarlet Emperor is a special variety of Red Runner Bean. It is a great climber and will cover your porch or bean teepee with red flowers and edible beans. A favorite of hummingbirds. The Hummers just "live" in these beans once they are blooming, I have them growing on teepees. Harvest runner beans at 4 to 6 inches long for best quality, but they can get over 12" long pods. This heirloom bean was first grown in the 1600's. Introduced to the United States in the 1800's. Used by native Americans, large vigorous vines over 12 feet long. The flowers are very ornamental, in clusters of the brightest scarlet, good to cook as snap, shell or dry beans. The huge seeds are very colorful, violet-purple mottled in black, sometimes called jewelry beans and strung into necklaces. I personally think they are the original "Jack-in-the-Beanstalk" beans! These beans like fairly cool weather. Even if you do not have a green thumb, these are for you! After planting, they seem to be at a standstill...then suddenly, they are shooting up everywhere. It's simply beautiful. In the photo, is my Scarlet Emperor Bean on the fence along with the wonderful deep purple "Grandpa Ott's Morning Glory" for a superb color combination. ~SOLD OUT~
SOLD OUT PAINTED LADY RUNNER BEAN - also called York or Lancaster Runner -
Species coccineus - The name "Painted Lady" refers to Queen Elizabeth I, who wore rouge and makeup in her day. This is the only runner bean with unique bi-colored blossoms . It is considered an ornamental climber in England because of its rapid growth and its many lovely flowers. It will climb counterclockwise, unlike most climbing beans. Very rare seed. The lovely whitish pink and coral red bi-colored blossoms are so decorative. They are edible as well with a rich "beany" taste if picked small. It has huge long pods which get up over foot long and are filled with very large mottled buff and brown seeds. They have a unique little "hook" on the end of the pod that I haven't ever seen before in any other beans.
These are so incredibly beautiful and extremely attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. I grow them all over my fences. This is a prime example of an ornamental edible. It was first introduced to England in 1633 by John Tradescant , gardener to Charles I. Described by Arrabida Flora of Rio Janeiro in 1827, and still very rare. It has a Pole Bean running habit. The locals here in Amishland in the early 1800's used to serve these beans "whittled" into long shreds called in dialect "Schipple," and made them into a pickled form like sauerkraut called "Schipplebuhne". I have only a limited supply of these seedsI had searched for years for this rare variety. SOLD OUT
EVA'S CHOW CHOW BEANS - ~BACK FOR 2010! ~ 150 YEAR OLD PA HEIRLOOM ~EXCLUSIVE~ONLY USA SEED SOURCE! ~ Eva passed away at 89 years old three summers ago. I will miss her so much more than I can say. She taught me so very much about gardening and shared so many of her family's seeds with me. She gave me these beans that have been grown by her Pennsylvania German family for 5 generations on their local family farm in Schoeneck (translates from the Dutch dialect as "beautiful corner") Pennsylvania. Small, prolific bush type bean plants. They don't get very tall and the bean pods are so long they almost hit the ground. They are white color with a burgundy "eye" on the helix. Good in the green snap stage (Eva used them in the family's "chow chow" relish along with other beans, and corn.) Please see my recipe page for a traditional PA Dutch Chow Chow recipe. They are also good dried in the pod and used a dry/baking/cooking bean. Very resistant to bugs and disease! I am the exclusive source for these particular strain old heirloom beans. My own 10 fresh organically grown seeds
AMISH GNUDDEL BEAN - BACK FOR 2010!~ NOTE: This is sometime spelled Knuddel, Knuttle, or Gnuttle Bean.( In Pennsylvania Dutch there are many variations in spelling as this is really only a spoken language~RARE
This is a very old Amish heirloom bean. It is what is called a "cutshort" because all the beans are squished in the pod so tightly that they have square sides. The translation of the dialect "gnuddel" is "dropping," because of its resemblance to a rabbit dropping. Such is Amish humor. It dates back to the early 1800's. The Amish use this as a dry bean for rich stew soups that they serve after their Sunday services to their whole congregation which meets in a local home each week. This is an important bean in their culture and in their meals. It is a a half runner bean, not quite as tall as a pole bean but it throws out runners that twine around whatever is available, so the Amish often grow it with corn. It grows about 5-6 feet tall, with short pods. It is a late season bean and takes about 90 days here in Amish country, or early September in my zone 6A garden. 10 of my own fresh organically grown seeds
HEIRLOOM POLE - PRETTY BEAN - SOLD OUT These lovely beans were originally given to me by a farm lady, here in Lancaster County. She didn't have any name for them. Absolutely lovely, I would say they belong to the horticultural bean family. Can be eaten in the "shelly" stage, that is when the pods grow lumpy, as you would eat fresh limas. However they make a nice snap bean in their green stage, or as a dry bean as well. These are the easiest and loveliest pole beans I have ever grown. The flowers are a pale lilac. The long 6-8" pods turn a fabulous bright fuchsia pink stripe and are truly ornamental! They grow about 6-7 feet on vigorous vines. Extremely rare as I am the only person selling these exact beans. SOLD OUT
**SOLD OUT** ALMAS PA DUTCH PURPLE BURGUNDY LIMA BEAN -This Lima is small and very dark burgundy purple and has a terrific yummy flavor. Very rare heirloom variety. My seeds are from my 87 year old Pennsylvania Dutch friend, Eva, whose family has grown these same lima beans on her farm for 5 generations. Long vines and very prolific. This season they "attacked" my 7 foot Butterfly bush and grew all over it! For those of you in colder regions who thought you couldn't grow lima beans, these may be worth a try, they kept pumping out until hard frost! **SOLD OUT**
