Kahnawake Mohawk bean

(Phaseolus vulgaris)

Pole, 8-10’/2.6-3 m tall. Vigorous, productive vines produce orb-shaped tan beans with darker brown striping. One of our highest yielding beans, but be warned: they take their time getting established before bearing, and use every day of the growing season here. Thanks to an early frost I discovered that they will finish drying down just fine even after frost kills their leaves. The name of this bean refers to a Mohawk community and reserve just across the river from Montreal; however, I have not yet heard of any convincing connection between this bean and that community. In fact, this is one of those beans which seems very widespread; I have seen pictures of similar looking beans under other names which come from places as scattered as Cherokee land in the southern USA, Italy, Germany, and Australia. Everyone likes them. A slightly mealy texture, excellent in soup. Very beautiful.

Note: for those wanting to try growing beans on corn, this variety is not suitable. It is too vigorous and prolific, and will cause your corn to collapse under its weight! Instead, I would recommend Macuzalito or Ga Ga Hut Pinto beans and keep this one on trellises, where it will generously reward your support.

100 days to maturity. 30 seeds/packet.