Phaseolus coccineus
DESCRIPTION
Pole bean with flowers of orangy-red and pink that attract humming birds and butterflies. Seeds are quite large and have been selected for grey seed coats.
PROVENANCE
Oshkosh-grown seed came to the OSS Collection from Chris Hoetschl.
GROWING RECOMMENDATIONS
Sow 1-inch deep mid-May to mid-June. Needs support of trellis or netting and protection from rabbits. If the early season is wet, slugs can be a problem for legume seedlings. See our guide to organic pest control.
SEED SAVING INSTRUCTIONS
Leave pods to dry and harvest at end of season; shell to reveal dry beans. Will cross with other runner beans within 500 feet, but will not cross with common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). For more information, see our guide to legume species.
CULINARY USES
Beans can be eaten as green bean, fresh shelled, or left to dry and shelled as a dry storage bean. To cook the dry beans, soak overnight and simmer until tender or use a pressure cooker.
PRESERVING YOUR HARVEST
Green beans or fresh shelled beans can be blanched and frozen. Storing runner beans in the mature and dry stage is the easiest way to preserve them and makes for a shelf-stable source of protein and other nutrients.