Branching Out
Deeply Rooted
Thanks heirloomgal! My fascination with beans has definitely grown a lot in just a few short years.Someone is really getting into heirloom beans....... Nice harvest!
Thanks heirloomgal! My fascination with beans has definitely grown a lot in just a few short years.Someone is really getting into heirloom beans....... Nice harvest!
The Mbombo has been on my very long wish list.Mbombo Green - Pole Dry Snap. Right Photo. The bean was nicely productive this past summer. This unique green colored seed can be used in soups or pods can be eaten as a green vegetable. The variety originates in Kenya Africa. To the people of the Kuba tribe Mbombo is associated with the Creator God. The bean itself is thought of as a sign of prosperity and bringing good fertility to the soil. Seed donor @Stephen Smith from Guthrie, Kentucky.
Ohio Pole - Pole Dry. Right Photo. This bean was one of my top producers this past summer with 20.75 ounces of beans (588 grams). About 95 days to first dry pods. Heavy producer of large 8 inch long pods. This late eighteenth century heirloom grown by the Miami people of Kekionga (present day Fort Wayne Indiana), as well as by the Delaware, Shawnee and Potawatomi peoples.
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Mbombo Green................................................Ohio Pole
I noticed that with Baker Creek as well, the number of bean varieties seemed small for such a large company with a devoted customer base. Given that they have to purchase (some anyway) from growers, maybe it isn't easy to find growers for beans? I found a real drop in bean offerings in various vendors since the gardening boom of 2020-2021, and they haven't seemed to bounce back.I've an odd question for the group. In the last week, I received my Seed Savers and Baker Creek Catalogs which are always happy finds in the mailbox. Though in looking at both, I notice what I feel like is a fairly big decline in the variety of beans they're offering.
Baker Creek only has 17 in the catalog this year...I dusted off the one from 5 years ago and they were offering over 50 in 2019. Seed Saver has 36 varieties for sale this year which is better, but I still feel like that's low considering they have over 50 peppers.
Maybe I'm just being bean-centric, but is this a trend anyone is seeing in any of the other catalogs?
I always go to the bean section first and have noticed the same. The Baker Creek Whole Seed Catalog (paid version) and online lists more varieties but only a couple that I don't have and which pique my interest.I've an odd question for the group. In the last week, I received my Seed Savers and Baker Creek Catalogs which are always happy finds in the mailbox. Though in looking at both, I notice what I feel like is a fairly big decline in the variety of beans they're offering.
Baker Creek only has 17 in the catalog this year...I dusted off the one from 5 years ago and they were offering over 50 in 2019. Seed Saver has 36 varieties for sale this year which is better, but I still feel like that's low considering they have over 50 peppers.
Maybe I'm just being bean-centric, but is this a trend anyone is seeing in any of the other catalogs?
The decrease in bean offerings could have something to do with some of their harvests not working out. There could also be a drop off in grower contracts for some reason. Dropping some varieties from their offerings could also be due to a drop in customer interest in some varieties. Vegetables grown in the garden in order of popularity are.I've an odd question for the group. In the last week, I received my Seed Savers and Baker Creek Catalogs which are always happy finds in the mailbox. Though in looking at both, I notice what I feel like is a fairly big decline in the variety of beans they're offering.
Baker Creek only has 17 in the catalog this year...I dusted off the one from 5 years ago and they were offering over 50 in 2019. Seed Saver has 36 varieties for sale this year which is better, but I still feel like that's low considering they have over 50 peppers.
Maybe I'm just being bean-centric, but is this a trend anyone is seeing in any of the other catalogs?