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+--- Thread: The Bean Dilemma (/showthread.php?tid=1747)
The Bean Dilemma - Veggie - 13-11-2022
I've been sorting through my bean seeds tonight (everyone needs a hobby) and I have the same dilemma as I have every year.
Should I grow
1. the reliable ones, like Hunter, that are good to eat
2. lots of different ones to find a new favourite
3. beans for drying or for eating fresh
4. heritage beans in order to save seeds for sharing or for next year
5. CFBs or runners (can only grow one runner if saving seeds to grow next year)
6. dwarf beans or climbers
7. jumble all the seeds together and not worry about it.
8. NEW Give seeds to Volunteers to grow (thanks Garrett and DJ)
RE: The Bean Dilemma - SarrissUK - 13-11-2022
Seven!
RE: The Bean Dilemma - Small chilli - 13-11-2022
That is quite a dilemma. I’m torn between 2, 3, 4
RE: The Bean Dilemma - Veggie - 14-11-2022
I had a very poor year in the bean department this year. The only ones I picked were some DFBs in a planter and the Hunter beans in a pot in the GH, sown late as a final fling.
My stomach tells me to grow lots to eat and forget about saving seed, unless its for dry beans to eat.
My heart tells me I should try to grow the unusual ones to share the seeds - then my head jumps in and tells me that the seeds are only unusual to me and there are probably lots of other people with these seeds (like the HSL ones).
The Moneyless Chicken thinks that I should grow to eat and to save a few seeds to grow next year. Maybe several CFBs and one runner and one or two specifically for drying. Make an early start with dwarf beans in pots in the GH with climbers to follow on outdoors.
Its starting to feel like a plan.
RE: The Bean Dilemma - JJB - 14-11-2022
I'd do all but 7 and give runners a miss. You've got the room and how can you resist growing any of the seeds you've got.
RE: The Bean Dilemma - Garrett - 14-11-2022
I would do 1 & 3.
Regarding the heritage beans, have you thought about distributing some seeds for others to grow out for swapping? If you list the heritage beans you have, some of us might be keen to try them next year and include them in the seed circle.
RE: The Bean Dilemma - Veggie - 14-11-2022
Good idea, Garrett
I have 123 different DFB, CFB and runner beans! Lots of them are old, from when I was a member of HSL and there will only be a few beans of each. Probably not even viable but, if I test them now, there'll be one less bean to grow. Happy to send some to anyone who'd like to try then.
Any volunteers please?
RE: The Bean Dilemma - JJB - 14-11-2022
I'll have some odd CFB to grow as long as they don't need isolation.
RE: The Bean Dilemma - doublyjonah - 14-11-2022
Like JJB, I'm happy to grow some as long as they can get along with other beans and don't need isolation. And as long as you don't have a deep emotional attachment to beans I may not be able to grow to maturity ?
Garrett, I can't help but feel you landed on Veggie's secret option 8....
RE: The Bean Dilemma - Garrett - 14-11-2022
I'll try some. I'm particularly interested in growing beans for shelling like Coco Bi-Colour, Jacob's Cattle. No idea if you have those, but just giving that kind of bean as an example. Any that have distinctive markings.