2024 Little Easy Bean Network - Growing Heirloom Beans Of Today And Tomorrow

[Decoy1]

Saw the funniest term yesterday, it was from a thing called The Guardian and while I'm horrified that publications like this are promoting cursing into the mainstream (so I won't link to it, I'll screenshot it) they made me laugh out loud with this -

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I dunno, I have to admit I think I'd like the idea of being a Leguminati. Definitely don't want to be one of the other kind though.

I’m not sure what your reference to promoting cursing is, but just want to put in a good word for The Guardian. It’s one of the very best daily British newspapers and very reputable. I read it every day, but had missed the ‘ leguminati’ The Guardian has had a number of articles in the last week or so promoting beans as a great food.

 

[Shades-of-Oregon]

@Blue-Jay, great beans, as usual.

I don't have time to take care of my beans now. I'll start taking photos over the Christmas break, there will be two weeks off. All seeds have already been shelled, dried and, just in case, frozen to kill weevils.

Freeze beans to protect from insects. Never thought of that…great idea. I freeze the hazelnuts and walnuts in freezer bags to keep safe and fresh.

 

[Blue-Jay]

One of the many common names for this plant is Bee's Friend. According to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, it's an annual, 1-3 feet tall, propagated only by seed. I can personally attest, it self seeds PROLIFICALLY. I grew it years ago when I was keeping honey bees. I've eliminated it from my landscape, or I'd happily send seed your way.

I think I'll take a pass on this. I don't want anything that is self seeding. I think I will stick to my Zinnias.

 

[Blue-Jay]

Cannellini - Bush Dry - Left Photo. The Italian equivilant of a white kidney. White beans are mild in flavor and often thinken the water they are being cooked in. This years grower was from Gonsalez, Louisiana.

Cerna Tanecnice - Pole Dry- Right Photo. I don't know much about this bean except I acquired it from a Czech Republic grower in 2019. I would imagine it is productive. Most beans seem to be. I have not run into many low production beans. This years grower is from De Soto Wisconsin.


Cannellini..................................................................Cerna Tanecnice

 

[Branching Out]

I’m not sure what your reference to promoting cursing is, but just want to put in a good word for The Guardian. It’s one of the very best daily British newspapers and very reputable. I read it every day, but had missed the ‘ leguminati’ The Guardian has had a number of articles in the last week or so promoting beans as a great food.

I read The Guardian frequently too, as it is offered to all with no paywall. They have several different global editions.

 

[Branching Out]

Freeze beans to protect from insects. Never thought of that…great idea. I freeze the hazelnuts and walnuts in freezer bags to keep safe and fresh.

If there are weevils in your area and you are sharing bean seeds with others freezing is very important, so hitchhikers don't tag along. And if someone is kind of enough to give you legume seeds, popping them in the freezer for 3 days is a very good idea. (Ask me how I know!)

 

[ducks4you]

C'Mon, fess up! I wanna hear your tale of woe!

 

[heirloomgal]

Yes, I've gotta admit there is a seductive appeal to beans. It all started with that original Bean Dealer, who sold Jack those magic beans. Obviously we haven't changed much since then... still trying to pawn off exotic beans to the unsuspecting.

The original bean dealer . This is so good @Zeedman.

 

[Branching Out]

What is this and is it planted from seed? Is it an annual? What does it look like and how large does it grow?

Speaking of decoy flowers, if this hasn't already been mentioned... Phacelia tanacetifolia is the mother of all bee distractions.

Lacy blue Phacelia flowers are one of the highlights of my spring garden. The plants grow about 2-3' tall, and yes-- they do drop a lot of seed. I am experimenting with collecting the seeds and direct sowing them in August or September, sort of like a cover crop. We have one spot where the soil is very wet and compacted, and lots of difficult weeds like horsetail grow there. I sprinkled Phacelia seeds in that spot, to see if they can out-compete the weeds. The photo of the stepping stone on the right was taken about a month ago in early November, and those Phacelia seedlings are filling in nicely.

If I can get the timing right Phacelia could also be the perfect companion to autumn and winter lettuce, because the Phacelia grows very upright with a veil-like canopy. After it winter kills at -6C(20F) the branches remain in place up in the air for a long time, and they are easy to compost come spring. That may be just what I need to offer a bit of frost and rain protection so I can successfully over-winter hardy lettuce varieties in the garden. I took this photo today, showing small volunteer Phacelia plants growing next to a red Alkindus butterhead lettuce. If the Phacelia grows even a couple of more inches it will form a lacy green umbrella that will stretch right over the lettuce.

And for those of you who do not want to attract pollinators such as honey bees to your garden, I would suggest giving a packet of Phacelia seeds to your next door neighbours (or maybe to someone on the next block??) so they can grow it and enjoy it. Then all of the bees for miles will be in their yards instead.

 

[ducks4you]

I LOVE this stepping stone with the smooth stones in it!

Where did you find it? AND, the nasturtiums are lovely, too. Now, I am Sold on Lacy blue Phacelia flowers. If they spread Half as well as the purple columbine that some bird dropped as a seed and as spread around my front walk and steps, I could be well pleased.