1500 Year Old Cave Pole Bean (90 Days)

The 1500-year-old Cave Bean is an heirloom bean from the southwestern United States. The tale that comes with this bean is that they were discovered in a cave sealed up in a clay pot. Dual purpose beans- young green flattened pods are snappy with robust bean flavor and shelled dried beans are white with maroon splashes. We started harvesting these toward the end of our season, which was great because most of our beans were done producing. Extremely vigorous, climbing to 10 feet.

50 seeds 

PLANTING

Phaseolus vulgaris

Germination: 4-10 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures are 70-85ºF

Seed Sowing Depth: 1” deep 

Outside Sowing: After the last frost with soil temperatures above 60ºF.  Sow 3- 4” apart for trellis/pole growth. Planting in soil under 60ºF results in poor germination. 

How much does a packet plant: 12-foot single-row 

Harvest: Before the seeds bulge and beans snap easily. Pick continually every 2-3 days to prolong production.

Tips: Grow in light, well-drained soil, and provide adequate, even moisture, especially at flowering time. Dry soil can result in low yields and fibrous pods. Do not over-fertilize the 1500 Year Old Cave Bean with nitrogen, as this can result in a surplus of foliage and low, delayed pod growth. Adding inoculant at planting time aids in a larger harvest and more robust plants.