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Regarding beans and legacy, the goal for an existing, extensive collection to move forward as a single entity is ideal. But as commented by others, there are challenges to achieving that by individuals. I think duplication has huge advantages, and I will try to share every variety that I grow...

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...

I can't comment on stringless. I didn't eat any fresh. I can say, these beans were the earliest to mature of all the varieties I grew, by a significant margin. Once I'd harvested the main flush of dried pods, the vines continued to produce a slow trickle of pods, enormous at the stage just...

I'm quite envious. I haven't had anything to shell in weeks. I used to have bags to last me through the winter. Since retirement, I keep up with stuff better and consequently have no beans to keep my hands occupied in front of the T.V.

I would love to try the San Fiacre! I'm exploring Romano type beans in 2025, and have always had a soft spot for the patron saint of gardening/agriculture. No one has it listed on SSE. I'll private message you.

I'm the Michigan grower of Frost this year. I had no trouble with germination, vigor, weather, or pest damage, but it does require a noticeably longer season than most beans I grew. I was able to plant at least 2 weeks earlier than most years, in a very uncharacteristic spring. And still I...

One of the many common names for this plant is Bee's Friend. According to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, it's an annual, 1-3 feet tall, propagated only by seed. I can personally attest, it self seeds PROLIFICALLY. I grew it years ago when I was keeping honey bees. I've eliminated it from...

I love hearing stories, even tiny slivers of stories, about those participating in the network grow outs. Thanks for these kinds of posts!

A friend picked up a handful of these at a local farmer's market for me several years ago, knowing I loved heirloom beans. They've become a staple in my bean garden. Beautiful, carefree, productive.

Sounds like ducks would be happy in your location!

Does everybody know the Sesame Street song, "One of the things is not like the other. One of these things doesn't belong."? Well, it's been stuck in my head due to this discovery while shelling Old Time Golden Stick, a network bean. The planted seed was small, approximately spherical...

This has been the heart of my drying system in the past, and has worked brilliantly. This year has been so rainy, and it's my first year growing network beans, so I'm a little paranoid about losing varieties to mold. What feel like crispy dry pods on the plant become soft after picking and...

My new drying system arrived yesterday! 😊 Increased capacity and effectiveness with decreased footprint! I got the trays at the university surplus store for a song, and I've been brainstorming a homemade rack, but decided I have neither the skills nor the time. Voila! Harvest is 75% (or more)...

The St. Fiacre story has always had a special place in my heart. Who knew there was a bean?!? May I ask where you got your seeds? I don't find it in either of Russ's collections, Seed Savers, or in a general Google search.

I'd like to share some optimism about deer predation of beans! I exponentially expanded my bean growing space this year, by using converted beds at my S.O.'s property. He's never had deer damage, in 28+ years, in spite of having hosta, corn, edamame, peas, cantaloupe, watermelon, in his...

Thank you. I have a preference for pole beans, but I agree (we're in a similar location) they are not as close to drying as I'd like at this point in the growing season for seed saving long term.

I cooked them with ham, garlic. onion, sweet peppers, and black pepper. Because the tradition is for long, slow cooking, I cheated and used a pressure cooker for 20 minutes. The pods and seeds were very tender, melt-in-your-mouth, and the dish was delicious, with ham being the central flavor...

My plants have pods in every stage, from tiny slivers to crisply dried down. Do you mean the decision on how to cook occurs during food prep? Would a "mess of beans" end up a combination of whole beans and shelled beans? Or do the shelled beans get tossed in a separate bowl and held for use in a...

I need some guidance from growers with experience harvesting greasy beans for fresh eating. I'm growing 2 varieties for the first time, Headricks Greasy Cutshort and Dean Family Greasy Cutshort. They are network beans, but so amazingly productive that I decided to pick and eat some. How does one...