Chefs, the world over, prize this attractive 19th-century Dutch heirloom for its deliciously creamy & nutty flavor. Pods are straight, brilliantly splashed with scarlet on yellow, 6 to 8" long mature pods produced on vigorous, semi-runner plants. The cream-colored large beans are striped with red as they mature. An unusually attractive item for shelled and dried beans. About 68 days to maturity.
This is a half runner type (compact stocky bushes), somewhat similar to a pole bean. Half-Runner beans typically make short runners from 4 to 7 feet tall, but usually about 5 feet. Pole beans make runners from 6 to 30 feet long.
~ planting ~
*While technically a bush bean, it is advised to provide support for runners.
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 65°F, ideally 70°–85°F. Successive Sowings: Every 7 to 14 days up to 80 days before your average first fall frost date. NOTE: In very hot summer areas, skip sowing as high heat approaches; temperatures consistently above 90°F will prevent beans from forming.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended.
Days to Emerge: 6–12 days
Seed Depth: 1"
Seed Spacing: 1 seed every 4"
Row Spacing: 24"
Thinning: Not required
For companion planting benefits, plant bush beans near carrots, cucumbers, or corn; avoid planting them near onions.
Tips: Grow in light, well-drained soil, provide adequate, even moisture, especially at flowering time. Dry soil can result in low yields and fibrous pods. Do not over fertilize with nitrogen which results in a surplus of foliage and low, delayed pod growth. Adding inoculant at planting time aids in a larger harvest and more robust plants.
