WV Farm Bureau Magazine February 2016 | Page 16

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