Well you should know by now that I like a photo or two. So all photos welcome.
I have been trying to search through my photos but I can't remember the names of the pods
I did have a reference but sadly thats disappeared into the ether.
Anyway hopefully we can start a new little bean bible again
I love beans, grow many more than I can eat fresh but am not that keen on frozen so I prefer to dry them for use later in the year. They look pretty amazing in a jar or two on the kitchen shelf
too.
Nothing fancy for me - I use two frames made from bamboo. About 24 canes each side. So about 50 canes each...maybe two beans per can, sometimes more. I used to put a bean by each plant but I get rodents eating the beans and then the plants can be disturbed so I don't bother anymore.
And yes, I never learn - everything is always planted too close together
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So, Scarlet what are the varieties for 2021? As for the closeness, I'm the same, do it every year, sometimes regret it.
Still to decide from what I have left from last year plus the Greek Gigantes which are new.
I've also seen a dwarf runners, has anyone tried any?
DFB's - Borlotto di vigevano nano, Ferrari, Polka
CFB's - Violet Podded, Coco blanc a rames, Blue Lake
Runners - Greek Gigantes
Update...I've also found some Scarlet Emp runners, sow by 2018, will probably give these a go as well.
After growing loads of different varieties of climbing and dwarf french beans the tastiest (in my opinion) and the tenderest (hence the name) is Tendergreen dwarf french beans. These are the only french beans I will be growing this year.
Gigantes runner beans didn't do very well for me last year but I think I have enough seeds from them to give them another try this year.
So far decided on
CFB. Hunter, marvel of venice, lidl's, violet podded (new)
DFB Aquilon (new), polka
RB firestorm (to give away)
Scarlett's mystery bean seeds - maybe
Doublyjonah's CFB tiger maybe
There may be others as time goes on. I have saved seed of coco blanc a rames and fasold which might get a look in.
Tresnejavec - Climbing French Bean - Best for shelling /Drying
This is a little village in Serbia - so presumably the seeds came from there?
This has become the firm favourite for drying.
Beautifully marked and the tastiest in chilli, bean cassoulet etc. My son eats a lot of beans and he always wants the "meaty" beans.
This variety is generally used for shelling - fresh or dried.
I have read that it needs a long growing season but that hasn't been the case for me.
I've managed to dry loads every year that I've grown it. I don't plant out until June. Seeds are started in pots - almost everything I grow is started in pots - but this gives me a head start for growing.
It's a large round bean ( swells up loads when cooked) mottled grey with black markings. I've read they are deep purple but they look black to me.
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Are these in your Mystery Beans, Scarlet?
Are they climbing or dwarf ? I think I’ve a few of those in your mystery packet.
You should have some in your pack - definitely worth sticking them and leaving until early Autumn.
Weinlanderin - Climbing French Bean
This is a Swiss heirloom pole bean. "Weinlanderin" translates as "maid of the wine country."
The beans are stunning on the vine. Pale green stringless pods with lovely purple mottling or streaks. They sometimes have fully purple pods, not a sign of crossing but just its growth habit. They can grow to 7-9 inches long, but are best eaten slightly smaller at 5-6 inches if using fresh. They grow huge on my plot. Beautiful bean.
These are also a multi-purpose bean and can be eaten fresh or dried. There are a huge number of beans per pod - so well worth sticking some in a corner to just get on with it for drying.
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