2025 Little Easy Bean Network - Growers Of The Future Will Be Glad We Saved

[ruralmamma]

I'm envious of those of you attending seed swaps. Our county just did get a seed library established last year and trying to organize a swap, so fingers crossed. I'd really love to attend the one in Berea, Kentucky someday.

I'm also participating in a USDA bean trial again this year and one of the varieties I'll be growing is a dry bush variety called Smelly Stone. Anyone familiar with it?

 

[Blue-Jay]

I'm envious of those of you attending seed swaps. Our county just did get a seed library established last year and trying to organize a swap, so fingers crossed. I'd really love to attend the one in Berea, Kentucky someday.

There is a seed swap coming up the first Saturday in April that is much closer to you than Berea, Kentucky. It is in Pikeville, Kentucky and I will be there. It's called The Appalachian Heritage Annual Seed Swap. At the Pike Central High School, 100 Winners Circle.

 

[ruralmamma]

There is a seed swap coming up the first Saturday in April that is much closer to you than Berea, Kentucky. It is in Pikeville, Kentucky and I will be there. It's called The Appalachian Heritage Annual Seed Swap. At the Pike Central High School, 100 Winners Circle.

Thank you! Definitely closer but won't be able to make it this year due to an event the same weekend in which my husband is a vendor. On the bright side, there's plenty of time to prepare for next year.

 

[Neen5MI]

I recently participated in an online seed swap through Garden.org. I shared 98 samples of beans (that's all I offered) in return for 85 samples of everything from beans and basil to peppers, tomatoes, native wildflowers, and on and on. There's a slick software system on the website to facilitate the activity. Most of the work falls on the "host" of the swap, and the success depends (of course) on the generosity and punctuality of all the participants, as well as the functioning of the USPS. I don't think there are accommodations for international participation, but it was my first time and I'm pretty excited, both at what I sent out and what I anticipate receiving.

I hope this message doesn't overstep any rules of this forum. Membership in the website is free and all costs associated with the swap activity (minimal) is strictly among participants.

 

[Artorius]

If those seeds were grown in 2024, the small size could be due to drought. I was sorting through my seed last week and noticed a significant difference in size of one bean in particular compared to previous years.

You are right. My Panzaredda and Murusieddu Nero which grew in a drier place than other beans are clearly smaller than they should be.

 

[Artorius]

Paulchen - bush bean selected by Solja Kaltenbach from Bienenbüttel, Germany.




Mulldoon - bush bean bred by Russell Crow, Woodstock, Illinois




Sweetwater - another bush bean bred by Russ.

 

[flowerbug]

three more groups of beans. my eyes got really tired today and the light wasn't very good so i can tell in the pictures as close ups that i didn't get things very well segregated for some of these. it's ok. i'm pretty sure at least one of those containers is just a mix of beans that i kinda just tossed in because i was tired and it was enough for the day. i'll take another look at all of these sometime when the sun is shining.

part white beans including some named beans (Andikove, Pheasant, Tinker's Fire). i see i missed one, i'll pick that out tomorrow and put in the right container...

black to gray beans, i think my favorites in these are the layered and complex ones when seen in good light. of course anything purple i tend to like no matter what.

purples, reds, browns, tans, white... hard to pick favorites but purples are very likely among them.

 

[Blue-Jay]

Paulchen - bush bean selected by Solja Kaltenbach from Bienenbüttel, Germany.

Wow ! All three of those beans are absolutely beautiful. I wish Sweetwater would look like that when grown here. I got more red than white with spotting. Not too bad I guess but I would like to see a little smaller area of red.


Sweetwater - Bush Taken in 2018

 

[Artorius]

Kahnawake Mohawk - Iroquois pole bean.




Soldier - bush bean




Fundy Amethyst - Candy bean mutation found and stabilized by Owen Bridge owner of Annapolis Seeds in Nova Scotia, Canada. The seeds are really very violet in sunlight.

 

[jbrobin09]

I’m loving 2 of those in the grey/black grouping. The one I marked A is a really unique buff colour, imo. And B is a gorgeous blend of tones. Really beautiful!