2026 Little Easy Bean Network – Plant A Garden, Water Your Soul, Join Our Family

[heirloomgal]

Sunny skies ahead, and the network beans are all planted! (In starter pots!) It's later than I would have liked, but the weather didn't allow it until now; I needed sun for them and there wasn't sufficient warmth or sun until now. It's only about a week, week and a half head start. With the rain from yesterday (which we've already had plenty of) I'm not sure the main garden will get tilled in normal time, so at least the beans will be growing in their pots. While I like the early start in the pots, the main purpose for me is a safe start away from nature. I much prefer setting out vigorously growing plants than seeds.

I went through my box from you @Blue-Jay while picking out the 2026 beans and got to look a bit more carefully over everything - wow. What a gorgeous lot of beans. I'm super excited to grow so many of these, the Mestia Svaneti and Batumi Bazaar are so gorgeous. I'm just in love with them, I hope they look as good grown in my soil!

Now I need the ground to dry up!

 

[Blue-Jay]

I got a very late Network bean return in the mail today. Two nice surprises in the package. This Canadian grower was able to get fresh seed from Black Cherry that has been a problem for a number of growers and We now have new seed of Nagorni Karabak. I think that may have been a problem bean also.

Thank you to Nana's Naturals the Canadian grower.

 

[Heliena]

The bean planting has begun! I pre-sprouted everything in a cell tray to avoid any wet/cold/wire worm loss, and I am impressed with how vigorous and uniform the Barksdale came up. The only other bean that came up with that much consistency and energy for me was the cranberry beans I got from the old, local permaculture farmer. I have no doubt that his personal selection of those bean seeds over the years resulted in that vigor. The transplants are all doing awesome two days later, and knock on wood... our doubled up electric netting seems to be keeping the rabbits out of the garden. Wishing happy planting to all of you!

Picture of the Cherokee Trail of Tears bean I planted out, this one is common here but I find to be very reliable. It's my "If none of these new varieties make good snap beans" insurance.