West Virginia heirloom beans
Around
Our State
State tree nursery
is go-to source
The West Virginia Division
of Forestry’s Clements State
Tree Nursery in Mason
County is the
go-to source
for native
and
other
tree
seedlings
suitable
for the
local climate
and conditions.
Landowners
desiring trees for
wind breaks, wildlife,
Christmas trees, reforestation
or other uses can order
trees between September
and April with deliveries
scheduled in time for fall
or spring plantings.
The nursery provides
26 different hardwood and
evergreen species. Orders
can be placed online, by
phone or by mail, and can
be as small as 25 trees. For
more information, visit
www.wvforestry.
com/nursery.cfm
or call 304675-1820.
Winter 2016
B
eans, corn and squash have been
cultivated in the Appalachian
Mountains for thousands of years
starting with the Native Americans and
pioneers. Heirloom beans, in particular,
are considered heritage crops by many
West Virginians. Selected varieties
have excellent horticultural traits
that allow them
to be well adapted
to the mountain
environment.
Evaluation
had a light brown seed with maroon
streaks; and Fat Man and White Greasy
Pole, which had high yields of white
beans.
For this trial, the heirloom varieties
were evaluated as dry beans that can be
stored and sold throughout the winter
season. Winter markets, such as farmers
markets, CSA
(Community
Supported
Agriculture) and
restaurants, are viable
market outlets for
heirloom dry beans.
The first
of a series of
Harvesting
evaluations
Heirloom beans can
began in early
be harvested fresh,
June 2015 when
semi-dry or dry.
14 varieties of
Some pole beans
West Virginia
Heirloom bean varieties are diverse
are dried in the
heirloom
in color and flavor.
pods and shelled
beans were
for cooking. Most pole beans and half
planted at the WVU Organic Farm
runners are harvested fresh, and eaten
in Morgantown, West Virginia.
or canned before the bean fills out when
The varieties evaluated included pole
the pods are still tender. Some pole
bean varieties with unique names and
beans, referred to as “shelly beans,”
characteristics, such as Turkey Craw,
are harvested just as the bean develops
Rattlesnake, Logan Giant, Fat Man,
in the pod. These beans are shelled
October Tender Hull, Coal Camp,
and eaten fresh or canned.
Williams River, Ground Squirrel, White
Greasy Pole, Speckled Christmas, Scarlet
Preservation
Runner, Aunt Glenda’s Pole Bean, Flood
West Virginians have selected and saved
Bean and Kunde Beans (cowpea type).
seeds from bean varieties for generations.
Heirloom varieties, diverse with unique
Many of the varieties were obtained
color and flavor, are genetic treasures that
from Flanagan’s Farm near Summersville,
must be preserved for future gardeners
West Virginia. The beans were distinct
not only in the Appalachian region,
colors ranging from black, brown and
but the entire world.
white to mottled seed coats. All varieties
exhibited excellent growth and were easy
When saving bean seeds, it is important
to grow organically. The beans’ vigorous
to isolate varieties by 25 to 50 feet. The
vines rapidly covered the trellises and
beans can be dried in the pods on the
were harvested after drying. Then, the
plant, or taken inside and dried before
beans were mechanically shelled and
shelling. The seeds should be stored in
bagged in early October.
jars or plastic bags in a cool location
until planting the following spring or
High-yielding varieties included
summer.
Logan Giant
Giant, which produced a medium
– continued on page iii –
brown seed; October Tender Hull, which
Insert provided by WVU Extension Service and Davis College of Ag., Natural Resources, and Design
16 West Virginia Farm Bureau News