Bean, Bush Dry, ‘Lina Sisco’s Bird Egg’

*Ark of Taste Heirloom*
(P. vulgaris) A family heirloom from one of the six original members of the Seed Savers Exchange (now the largest public participation heirloom seed organization in the world). These beans are said to have been brought by Lina’s grandmother to Missouri by covered wagon in the 1880s. Delicious smooth texture and rich flavor for soups or on their own. Terrific variety to freeze as shelly beans for wonderful winter meals! Horticultural type.
85 days. UO

Packet: 1oz (~60 seeds)

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Direct seed after the last frost date when the soil has warmed. 

Note: Beans prefer well-drained, warm soil.

PLANTING DEPTH:

1″

SPACING:

3-5″ between plants with 12-24″ between rows*

*Pole beans require 5+’ between rows.

EMERGENCE:

5-10 days @ soil temp 65-90F

LIGHT:

Full sun to part shade

FERTILITY:

Light to Moderate. Beans can produce their own usable nitrogen from atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that colonize specialized nodules in their roots. Too much soil fertility can cause excessive vegetative growth at the expense of pod set and maturity.
Beans prefer well-drained warm soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Beans prefer warm soils and may rot at lower temperatures. This is particularly true for white-seeded varieties. You love beans. Patience.

It can be quite beneficial to mix bean seeds with commercially available bacterial “inoculants” to encourage the beneficial symbiotic relationship in the growing plant’s root nodules, especially if growing on ground that hasn’t been planted with beans before. This can increase yields and improve plant health. 

Avoid picking/weeding beans when the plants are wet. This will help prevent the spread of disease. 

Provide a trellis for pole beans. 

White-seeded varieties are more susceptible to rot when seeded in cool, wet, early-season conditions. 

Sow Snap Beans every few weeks for continued harvests.

Harvest dry beans when the pods are brown and dry.