Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Beans galore!

The other day I received an email from a lady asking whether I would be able to give her some seeds of the climbing bean "Selma Zebra", which I had written about some time previously. I did have a few seeds of that variety left and I had no immediate plans to sow them, so I sent them off to her. In return she sent me a huge selection of beauties from her "extensive" collection of beans.


I was taken aback by her generosity! After all, I had sent her perhaps 25 seeds of one single variety, yet she sends me 15 each of 8 different varieties. Wow, what am I going to do with all these?

The selection includes varieties I had never even heard of. Well, come on, have you heard of a bean called "District Nurse"? I like the sound of "Kew Blue" too - it rolls nicely off the tongue.


I had been planning to play safe this year and grow only Runner Beans and my favourite climbing French Bean "Cobra", but I think I have changed my mind. Last year the "Cherokee Trail of Tears" did well and produced a good crop of compact shiny black beans which I have really enjoyed cooking and eating, particularly in Mexican-inspired pork casseroles:



but I'm very tempted by the description of "Veitch's"  - ideal for chilli (con carne). Back to the drawing-board for the garden plans...

For the record, this is what the "Selma Zebra" beans look like. [Photo from 2011]. They are the darker-coloured pods, bottom left.


And this appears to be the only photo I have of some actual (shelled) Selma Zebra beans. They are the speckly ones, bottom right here (shown at the "green" stage, before drying).


I asked this lady (she's called Judith, by the way) if she has a blog or website where I could learn more about her bean collection, but regrettably the answer was "No". Still, I might just try to persuade her to write a guest post for my blog. I reckon there are a lot of people out there who would be interested. And maybe we could organise an even more ambitious seed-swap? If you're into shelling-beans, maybe you'd like to have a look HERE at a post I published back in 2011? I had forgotten how attractive the Yin Yang beans are...
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18 comments:

  1. Daphne Gould6 February 2013 at 16:40

    Wow lots of beautiful beans. I've grown so many new ones in the last couple of years. I'm so trying to stick to a few old favorites. I may succeed.

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  2. Sue Garrett6 February 2013 at 17:11

    I envisage beans growing up all your fences and any other garden structure.

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  3. Jo6 February 2013 at 17:14

    I've met so many generous people since I've started blogging, it warms my heart to know there's such kind people out there. I think you need to find room for another raised bed for that little lot.

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  4. Miss Bougie6 February 2013 at 18:04

    Oh yes, please. Definitely a guest blog! You have me all interested there. Wonder how all these new varieties will turn out. Have you asked your neighbour if you could lease part of his garden, Mark? ;)

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  5. David Ford6 February 2013 at 18:22

    Knowing you I am sure you will be keen to give all of them a try

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  6. Egretta Wells blog6 February 2013 at 19:26

    You have the MOTHER LODE, now... beans galore! I can vouch for the Kentucky Wonders. Mother and Dad planted them every year in Kentucky and they were wonderful!!

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  7. becky30866 February 2013 at 19:54

    Very nice! Will be looking forward to seeing how these do for you.

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  8. veggiegobbler6 February 2013 at 21:54

    I think that's great. Seed swapping is terrific.

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  9. Gardeningbren6 February 2013 at 22:01

    What a generous gift Judith has given you, the Kew Blue most especially. A guest blog would be certainly timely for us in the process of ordering our own seeds, and her comments on the different varieties. Kentucky Wonder has done well for me also, but my favourite is Fortex, tender when young and middle-age.

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  10. Kirsty @ Bowerbird Blue6 February 2013 at 23:21

    So many delicious bean varieties with awesome names, what a plant. We have lazy housewife and sex without strings growing in our garden at the moment. The kindness of strangers never fails to fill you with a warm fuzzy glow, all is good with the world.

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  11. Erin7 February 2013 at 03:07

    I went in and read your bean post. I am in love with dry beans. Beans were the only thing that did really well for me this year. So I ordered two dry bean seeds. Orca and Borlotti. I just went in to check and orca is also called Yin Yang bean. I must have channelled you when I ordered my bean seeds this year. Now that I see yours, I'm really excited to get going this year!,

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  12. Lea7 February 2013 at 04:32

    What a wonderful gift! Kentucky Wonders are the only ones I know about - you will love them!
    I decided to try some bunch Lima Beans, Fordhook, this year. Just bought my seeds today. I'm also planning to plant a running Lima Bean that I enjoyed in 2011 (I forgot the name of it) if I can find the seeds. I'm hoping I can plant in mid-April.
    Have a wonderful day!
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie
    Mississippi, USA

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  13. Judith (I prefer Jude though)7 February 2013 at 07:24

    Well this is Judith (I much prefer Jude though!) un-lurking myself :-)
    How can I refuse writing a guest blog after reading this lovely post and equally lovely comments?

    Nice to meet you all :-)
    Jude

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  14. Liz7 February 2013 at 10:03

    I can see why she would want the Selma Beans - they are beautiful. I really want to explore more bean varieties, especially those suitable for drying. Or better yet varieties that work well for both eating the pods fresh or the seeds dried. Excellent looking selection she gave you.

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  15. Caroline Taylor7 February 2013 at 13:32

    What a great exchange! I love the sound of a district nurse bean!

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  16. Dewberry / Amanita7 February 2013 at 15:06

    I like the 'Painted Lady' beans, they look very interesting.

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  17. Damo7 February 2013 at 20:00

    Fantastic looking beans and what a generous return gift. Hope you have room to squeeze them in.

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