Beans

Bush – Snap Phaseolus vulgaris

All packets contain a minimum of 50 seeds

Culture: Full sun. Plant bean seeds into warm soil after all danger of frost has passed. In my southern Ontario garden that is after May 24, and successive plantings can be well into July. Plant seeds 2 inches apart and 1 inch deep. Rows should be minimum 24 inches apart. Harvest snap beans frequently for better yields. For dry beans, leave pods on the vine to dry, pick when the rattle inside the pods.

• Black Valentine   
  I have offered this popular bean in the seed exchanges for years. Another old-time bean introduced by Peter Henderson. It is a magnificent producer and the black seed can be used also as a dried bean. 55 days.
  



• Blue Ribbon
  This is a very nice wide-type bean, pick and use before it grows big. A lovely 6-inch green bean with distinct purple striping. Great beany taste and big producer. 60 days.
  



• Bobis Albenga 
  This is a truly wonderful Italian bush bean, one of my favourites. Striking in appearance, it is a slim green bean with purple markings and wonderful flavour. Hard to find elsewhere and a market favourite!
  



• Bountiful
  In 1897, Abel Steele of Ferguson, Ontario, won a $25 prize for naming this new variety from Peter Henderson & Company, previously known as "Green Bush Bean #1." Heavy crops of excellent quality, brittle, stringless 6-7-inch pods. Productive bush plants grow 16 inches tall, 47-50 days.
  



• Buerre de Rocquenfort
  This is a very lovely long, slim, yellow bean, of French heritage. This black-seeded bean produces well and tolerates the wet and cold better than some others. My favourite yellow bean, very classy taste. 55 days.
  



• Dragon Tongue
  Another bean I love, as do my customers. This mildly flavoured juicy standout is pale yellow with purple striking when ready to pick. Even at a large size they are tender and delish! But sadly, when cooked the purple striping fades. 57 days.
  



• Empress Bean---- 
  Incredible flavour. Our very best snap bean for fresh eating, freezing or processing. A true workhorse. Heavy yields of large, straight, green, 5-6-inch stringless pods. Originally introduced by Gurney's as Experimental Bean 121 and then re-named Empress in 1979. Bush habit, 55 days.
  



• Fin de Bagnol
  Old gourmet variety of French string bean, delicious round slender pods. Best for eating when picked every 2 or 3 days while still very young and tender. Does well in cool soil. Very attractive as tiny gourmet green beans. Commands a high price at market. Bush habit, 49-57 days.
  



• Jade
  Reliable and dependable, Jade has long been a favourite of mine because of its wonderful long pods, great production and taste. Not an heirloom but wonderful nonetheless. Seed into warm soil, doesn’t like it chilly. 60 days.
  



• Red Swan
  A unique development for snap beans. The result of a life-long passion of bean breeding by the late Robert Lobitz (1941-2006). Stabilized cross between a purple snap bean and a pinto. Best described as dusty red-rose, pods are 4-5 inches long, well-flavored and free of strings. Bush habit, 52-58 days.
  



• Royalty Purple Pod
  Bred at the University of New Hampshire by the late Professor Elwyn Meader. Introduced by The Billy Hepler Seed Company in 1957. Distinctive purple foliage and purple flowers. Stringless 5-inch tender round pods that cook to green. Germinates well even in cold wet soil. Bush habit. 55 days.
  
 

Bush – Dry Phaseolus vulgaris

• Mrocumiere  
  This is a very unusual dried bean in appearance. It is a kidney-shaped bean, but is a very pretty lilac colour. A prolific producer of 6" oval pods, white flowers. Makes for some very tasty winter meals. 95 days.
  
 

Beans – Pole  Phaseolus vulgaris

• Lazy Housewife
  One of the oldest documented beans and thought to be the first stringless bean. Very good producer, fabulous flavour...and doesn't the name alone make you want to try it? 75 days.
  



• Rattlesnake
  One of my favourite pole beans and is it a climber. Can grow up to 10 feet! Wonderful 8 inches long green beans with distinctive purple striping.60-90 days.
  

Beans – Runner Phaseolus coccineus

25 seeds

• Scarlet Runner
  This bean has been documented as early as 1750. Often grown as an ornamental for its beautiful scarlet flowers. Huge vines can grow up to 12' and the tasty beans can be eaten as snap or as shell beans. 75 days for snap.
  

Beans – Lima Phaseolus lunatus

25 seeds

• Christmas Lima
  Pole variety. Stunning appearance. Beautiful quarter-size seeds are white with maroon swirls. Wonderful flavour and can be used for shelling or dry. 75-100 days.
  

Beans – Shelling (Bush)

50 seeds

• Taylor Horticultural
  Early producer of shelling beans, old pre-1800s bean. Produces cream-coloured pods that are ready to pick for "shellies" when they are splashed with maroon. Cook immediately upon picking. 60 days.
  

Beans – Soy 

Max. 50 seeds

• Envy
  Very good for short seasons, developed by the late Prof. Meader at University of New Hampshire. 24-inch plants produce excellent quality soybeans for edamame or drying. 75 days.
  

Yard Long – Phaseolus Vigna

50 seeds

• Chinese Red Noodle 
  Large vines produce interesting yard longs, tender and crisp red/purple beans which are unique tasting, excellent in stir fries. Small red brown seeds. Fun to grow.