Beans

Beans

At Urban Farmer we supply several bean varieties that work for gardeners to small farm market growers. We trial all bean varieties and select only the best-tasting, most attractive, and best producing bean plants. Choose from bush beans, pole beans, lima beans, runner beans, shelling beans and stringless beans. Beans come in a variety of maturity dates, colors, shapes, sizes and taste!

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How to Grow Beans

The Eastland bean, scientifically known as Phaseolus vulgaris 'Eastland,' is a popular variety of bush bean that hails from the United States. It is highly esteemed for its exceptional taste and ease of cultivation. Eastland beans belong to the family Fabaceae and are a warm-season crop commonly grown in gardens and small-scale farms. In terms of taste, Eastland beans are celebrated for their tender, crisp texture and rich, earthy flavor. They are a delight to eat both raw and cooked. The pods of Eastland beans are of medium size, typically measuring around 4-5 inches in length. The plants themselves are compact and bushy, making them suitable for smaller gardens and spaces. These beans have a relatively short maturity period, typically taking around 70-75 days from planting to harvest. The beans are known for their vibrant green color, making them visually appealing as well. Eastland beans are generally resistant to common bean diseases such as bean mosaic virus and rust. They are known to provide a good yield per acre, often ranging from 800 to 1,200 pounds of beans per acre, depending on growing conditions and care. Proper spacing is crucial for their growth, with plants typically spaced 3-4 inches apart in rows that are about 18-24 inches apart. These beans thrive in well-drained soil with full sun exposure and require regular watering to maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil. Overall, Eastland beans are a favorite among gardeners and farmers for their taste, disease resistance, and relatively quick harvest time.

Fordhook 242 beans are a popular variety of lima beans known for their smooth texture and rich, buttery flavor. These beans are characterized by their large, flat, greenish seeds that mature to a creamy, pale yellow when harvested. The Fordhook 242 variety is prized for its resilience and productivity, thriving in both home gardens and larger agricultural settings. With a growing season of about 70 to 80 days, these beans are often used in a wide range of culinary dishes, from soups and stews to side dishes and casseroles. Their versatility, coupled with their excellent taste, makes them a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike.

Henderson Lima beans, often referred to as Henderson's Bush Beans, are a renowned heirloom variety with a rich history and notable characteristics. Originating in the early 20th century, these beans were developed by the Henderson Seed Company, a notable seed supplier based in the United States. Henderson beans are appreciated for their compact, bushy growth habit, making them well-suited for smaller gardens or container planting. The plants typically reach about 18 to 24 inches in height, which allows for easy management and harvesting without the need for extensive staking or trellising. The beans are characterized by their smooth, green pods and are known for their tender texture and sweet, mild flavor. The pods are generally harvested when they are young and firm, usually in mid to late summer, to ensure the best taste and quality. Henderson beans are valued for their consistent productivity and disease resistance, which contribute to a reliable harvest. With their appealing flavor, compact growth habit, and dependable performance, Henderson beans remain a popular choice among home gardeners seeking a high-quality, easy-to-grow bean variety.

The Blue Lake FM-1K Pole is a stringless pole bean that is very tasty! Blue Lake beans are known for reliability, disease resistance, flavor and high yields. This is the pole version of the popular bush type that is widely planted for the canning industry. These bright green beans are straight and reach up to 7'. Perfect for those who are tired of bending over to pick beans, but still want the high yield of a bush bean.

Whiskey Mountain bean seeds produce a rare and distinctive heirloom pole bean known for its vigorous growth, striking appearance, and excellent flavor. The plants climb tall and robustly, requiring support, and yield long, tender pods that can be enjoyed as fresh snap beans or allowed to mature into colorful dry beans. The dry beans often feature unique markings and a rich, earthy taste that makes them ideal for soups and stews. Named after the scenic Whiskey Mountain region, this variety is valued for both its resilience in diverse growing conditions and its ornamental appeal in the garden. With its combination of beauty, hardiness, and culinary versatility, Whiskey Mountain is a treasured choice for gardeners seeking something special.

Dark Red Kidney beans are one of the most widely used beans in North America! Dark Red Kidney is a bush variety of dried bean. Each pod contains 5 large, red kidney shaped beans. If rain threatens before your beans are totally dry, pull the whole plant up, hang upside down in your barn/garage to let them finish drying. Once dry, these beans will store for a long time! This bean is often used in Mexican food.A perfect winter food full of protein straight from your own garden.

An All American Selection winner produces high quality pole beans. A cross between Kentucky Wonder and Blue Lake, combining the best of both parents. Kentucky Blue Pole beans produce large, straight, round 6 to 7" pods of excellent quality on 6 to 8' vines. This vigorous grower is an improvement over standard pole varieties and is ready for harvest one week earlier. The beans themselves have a delicious, tender texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor, making them perfect for fresh eating, steaming, or stir-frying. They are also great for canning and freezing. Kentucky Blue beans are appreciated for their disease resistance and ability to produce abundantly throughout the growing season. With their stunning blue flowers and lush foliage, these beans not only provide a tasty harvest but also add visual interest to any garden!

Calypso bean seeds, also known as "Yin Yang" beans for their striking black-and-white pattern, produce compact bush plants that typically grow 15 to 20 inches tall. These heirloom beans mature in about 70 to 90 days and are cherished for their creamy texture and mild, earthy flavor, making them ideal for soups, stews, and salads. Calypso beans are easy to grow, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, and they offer good drought tolerance. Their unique appearance and reliable performance make them a favorite among gardeners and heirloom seed enthusiasts alike.

Cinnabar Mountain bean seeds produce striking, ornamental pole beans known for their vivid scarlet flowers and long, slender pods. This variety is not only visually appealing but also productive, climbing vigorously and yielding beans that can be eaten young as snap beans or left to mature for dry beans. Named after the cinnabar-red hues of its blooms, it attracts pollinators like hummingbirds and bees, making it a beautiful and beneficial addition to gardens. The plants thrive in warm weather with full sun and well-drained soil, and they require sturdy trellising due to their vigorous vining habit. Cinnabar Mountain beans combine aesthetic charm with culinary value, making them a favorite for both ornamental and edible landscapes.

Navy beans, scientifically known as Phaseolus vulgaris, are small, oval-shaped beans that are a popular and versatile member of the legume family. They are often referred to as navy beans due to their association with the United States Navy, where they were a staple food for sailors in the 19th century. These beans have a rich history dating back to ancient times when they were cultivated by indigenous peoples in the Americas. They were later introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers and became an essential part of global cuisine. Navy beans have a mild, nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture when cooked. They are known for their ability to absorb the flavors of the ingredients they are cooked with, making them a favorite in soups, stews, and baked bean dishes. These beans are typically small, about half an inch in length, and are usually white or off-white in color, although there are variations with speckled or colored coats. In terms of plant characteristics, navy bean plants are relatively compact, reaching a height of about 18 to 24 inches. They have a bushy growth habit and produce small, white or lavender flowers before developing pods that contain the beans. Navy beans typically take around 80 to 90 days to reach maturity, making them a relatively quick-growing crop. They thrive in well-drained soil with good moisture retention and prefer full sun for optimal growth. Adequate spacing and support may be needed to ensure healthy plant development, and they are generally grown as annuals in most regions.

Scarlet Runner beans are a striking heirloom variety with a rich history that traces back to indigenous cultures in Central and South America. Introduced to Europe in the 17th century, these beans quickly gained popularity for both their ornamental beauty and culinary qualities. Characterized by their vigorous growth habit, Scarlet Runner plants can climb up to 10 feet or more, making them ideal for trellises or fences. The most notable feature of this variety is its vibrant scarlet flowers, which attract pollinators and add a stunning visual appeal to gardens. The pods are long and flat, typically green, maturing to a reddish hue, and are best harvested while still young and tender. Known for their rich, earthy flavor and creamy texture, Scarlet Runner beans are delicious in a variety of dishes, from stews to salads. Harvesting usually occurs in late summer to early fall, ensuring that the beans are picked before they dry out. With their ornamental charm, exceptional taste, and high productivity, Scarlet Runner beans remain a beloved choice for gardeners looking to combine beauty with culinary excellence.

Amarillo beans (Frijol Amarillo) are a beloved heirloom variety in Mexican cuisine, known for their golden-yellow color and slightly sweet, earthy flavor. These beans are medium-sized, with a smooth texture that makes them perfect for use in a variety of traditional dishes, such as stews, soups, and frijoles de la olla. Their subtle flavor and creamy consistency when cooked make them a versatile ingredient in both savory and vegetarian meals. Grown primarily in the central and southern regions of Mexico, Amarillo beans are well-suited to a range of climates and soil types, offering resilience and a reliable yield. As an open-pollinated variety, they are ideal for sustainable farming practices and seed-saving, ensuring that this flavorful and nutritious bean continues to play an essential role in both Mexican agriculture and cuisine.

Blue Lake 274 is a popular variety of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) known for its exceptional taste and reliable performance in home gardens and commercial agriculture. This cultivar has a rich history, tracing its origins back to the Blue Lake region in California. Blue Lake 274 beans are beloved for their tender, crisp texture and sweet, earthy flavor, making them a favorite among gardeners and consumers alike. The Blue Lake 274 bean plant typically grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches, with a bushy, compact habit that makes it suitable for both garden beds and containers. It is classified as a bush bean, which means it doesn't require trellising or support structures. This variety is known for its relatively quick maturity, typically taking about 55 to 60 days from planting to harvest. The pods of Blue Lake 274 are long and slender, usually reaching a length of 6 to 7 inches. They are a vibrant green color and are prized for their straightness and uniformity. Blue Lake 274 beans exhibit resistance to common bean diseases such as bean mosaic virus and bean common mosaic virus, which contributes to their reliability and yield consistency. Speaking of yield, you can expect a bountiful harvest from this variety, with each row typically producing around 8 to 10 pounds of beans. For optimal growth, Blue Lake 274 beans thrive in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH level of 6.0 to 6.8. Plant them in rows with spacing of approximately 18 to 24 inches between plants. They require full sun exposure for at least 6 to 8 hours a day and should be watered consistently to keep the soil evenly moist. With the right care and conditions, Blue Lake 274 beans are sure to provide a delicious and productive addition to your garden.

Kentucky Wonder Pole beans are a classic heirloom variety with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Originally developed in the United States, these beans have become a staple in gardens across the country due to their reliability and exceptional flavor. Characterized by their vigorous climbing growth habit, Kentucky Wonder Pole beans can reach heights of 6 to 8 feet, making them well-suited for trellises or fences. The pods are typically smooth, straight, and a vibrant green color, often reaching up to 7 inches in length. Known for their tender texture and sweet, rich flavor, these beans are ideal for fresh eating, canning, or freezing. Harvesting usually occurs from mid-summer to early fall when the pods are young and firm, ensuring the best taste and quality. Kentucky Wonder beans are valued not only for their delicious flavor but also for their high yield and disease resistance, making them a favorite among both home gardeners and commercial growers. With their impressive growth, flavorful pods, and historical significance, Kentucky Wonder Pole beans remain a beloved choice in vegetable gardens.Previous nicknames include "Old Homestead" and "Texas Pole". Kentucky Wonder first appeared in mid 1800's.

Cherokee Wax beans, also known as Cherokee Yellow Wax beans, are a popular variety of bush beans cherished for their vibrant appearance and delicious flavor. These beans are believed to have originated from the Native American Cherokee tribe, hence their name. Cherokee Wax beans are a warm-season vegetable that thrives in various climates, making them a favorite among home gardeners and commercial growers alike. Cherokee Wax beans are known for their exceptional taste, boasting a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a tender and crisp texture. They are a type of bush bean, which means they grow as compact, bushy plants that don't require support structures. The pods of Cherokee Wax beans typically measure around 5 to 6 inches in length and have a bright yellow color. These beans have a relatively short time to maturity, usually taking about 50-55 days from planting to harvest. They are highly productive, yielding an impressive quantity of beans per 10-foot row. In terms of growing conditions, Cherokee Wax beans thrive in well-draining soil that receives full sun exposure. They require spacing of about 3-4 inches between plants and should be sown in rows that are 18-24 inches apart. Cherokee Wax beans are generally disease-resistant, with some varieties exhibiting resistance to common bean diseases like rust and mosaic virus. With proper care and regular harvesting, these beans can provide a bountiful and delicious addition to your garden or dinner table.

Quicksilver Mountain bean seeds grow into a vigorous pole bean variety prized for its elegant, silver-speckled dry beans and reliable performance in the garden. The tall, climbing vines produce long, slender green pods that can be harvested young as tender snap beans or left to mature into striking dry beans with a smooth, pale base marked by silvery patterns. Known for their creamy texture and rich, nutty flavor when cooked, Quicksilver Mountain beans are ideal for hearty dishes like soups, stews, and casseroles. This variety thrives in full sun with support from a trellis or pole structure and is favored by gardeners for both its visual appeal and culinary quality.

Provider beans are a popular bush bean variety that has garnered attention for its reliable performance and ease of cultivation. Developed in the United States, Provider beans have a rich history dating back to the mid-20th century, when they were bred for both home gardens and commercial production. These beans are characterized by their compact growth habit, typically reaching about 18 to 24 inches in height, which makes them perfect for small spaces and easy to manage without staking. The pods are smooth and a vibrant green color, generally growing to about 5 to 6 inches long. Known for their excellent flavor and crisp texture, Provider beans are ideal for fresh eating, canning, or freezing. Harvesting is best done when the pods are young and firm, usually in mid to late summer, ensuring the best taste and quality. The plants are vigorous and produce high yields, demonstrating good resistance to common diseases. With their dependable growth, delightful flavor, and adaptability, Provider beans remain a favorite choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Fava Broad Windsor beans, also known as Vicia faba 'Broad Windsor,' are a classic heirloom variety with a storied history and a range of notable characteristics. Originating in the United Kingdom, this variety has been cultivated for centuries and is particularly valued for its large, hearty beans and reliable yield. The plants are characterized by their robust growth habit, reaching heights of 24 to 36 inches, with broad, dark green leaves and striking white flowers often tinged with purple. The beans themselves are large and plump, typically encased in thick, protective pods that turn from green to a rich brown as they mature. Fava Broad Windsor beans are known for their creamy, slightly nutty flavor, which becomes more pronounced when the beans are cooked. The plants generally bloom in late spring to early summer, and the beans are usually harvested about 80 to 90 days after sowing. They thrive in cool, well-drained soil and prefer full sun to partial shade. The robust nature of the plants and their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil make them a valuable crop for improving soil fertility in rotation systems. With their rich flavor, historical significance, and agronomic benefits, Fava Broad Windsor beans are a cherished choice for both traditional and modern gardens.