Horst Pole bean
(Phaseolus vulgaris)
Pole, 8’/2.6 m tall. A long-season, but superb, green bean. Pods are substantial and stay tender even when quite large. The dry beans are very beautiful: long grey seeds with darker stripes. This variety complements Northeaster very well, beginning bearing just about when Northeaster finishes.
I was given seed for this bean by Edith Martin. It was passed down in her mother’s family (whose name it bears). Interestingly, this variety appears to be very similar to several others that have been preserved in the Waterloo region of Ontario by Mennonites who immigrated to that area from Pennsylvania in the early 1800s. I do not know if they acquired it here or in Pennsylvania, but it is well worth preserving.
80 days to harvest, 110 days to maturity.
30 seeds/packet.
Plant after last frost; soil must be warm or seed will rot. Sow 1” deep. Space pole beans in pairs 8” apart, with 8” between pairs if climbing twine, or in groups of 3-4 around single poles 1’ apart. Pick green beans before seeds start swelling, seed beans when pods are fully dry; seed must be dry enough to not dent with a fingernail for storage. Dry beans can be further dried on a tarp, then threshed by dancing on them and winnowing away the chaff.