Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program





'Cherokee Trail of Tears' Beans
 
Sub-Category: Pole
Green
 
Sub-Category 2:
Description: Pole dry and snap bean. Plants bear 6-inch green pods with purple overlay and shiny, jet-black seeds.
Days To Maturity: 85
Seed Sources: Seed Savers Exchange - updated in 2014

 
Rating Summary
 
Overall: (5.0 Stars)Overall
Taste: (4.8 Stars)Taste
Yield: (5.0 Stars)Yield
Ease/Reliability: (4.8 Stars)Ease/Reliability
 
Reviews
 
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Number of Reviews: 6

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Reviewed on 01/11/2014 by Ferdzy - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Ontario, Canada
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

These have a flavour very similar to Blue Lake beans; in other words, the best! They are extremely productive, and the vines are huge so you will need good trellising. They make excellent dried beans as well, although they don't cook any faster than the larger beans I've tried. Some of the beans are plain green, but many are brushed with varying degrees of purple. There is a fair variation in size as well. I think this leads a lot of people to think they are crossed, but I suspect that they just have a lot of natural variation. Not the fastest to dry down for dry beans. Also pretty susceptible to anthracnose - it turns out a lot of beans are, alas. These were not the worst affected by any means.
 
3 of 3 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 04/12/2009 by UpstateJohn - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
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Ease/Reliability Ease

Monroe, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

2008 was the first trial crop which I had wanted to try from Seed Savers Exchange. An outstanding yield of very high quality bean. Now my favorite "Souper" bean. It is indeed a great gas producer so use restraint several hours before any formal activities.
 
3 of 3 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 10/25/2007 by mrmcgregor - An experienced gardener

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Cortland, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This is my favorite dry bean for black bean soup. It's not called "Trail of Tears" for nothing. If you walk behind someone who's eaten a mess of these beans, your eyes will be burning. It's a very gassy bean.
 
3 of 3 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 09/19/2007 by stoutl - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Wayne, Michigan, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Very vigorous vines that produce a bumper crop. When you think they're done they just keep on producing right up to frost. Great old-time beany taste when used as a mature "full" snap bean. Haven't tried them dried yet. Used them all fresh this year but may try drying them in the pod for "shucky beans" next year. This one is a keeper!
 
3 of 3 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 10/20/2006 by Ottawa Gardener - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Ontario, Canada
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I have only grown this one year but it did very well in my garden. It was very productive and grew well in the three sisters combination. It also had a pleasing almost kidney bean like texture. I will grow it again!
 
3 of 3 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 10/13/2006 by tmitch - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Jefferson, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

2006 First year but this pole bean was very productive. It tasted great as a snap bean but i dried most and used as black beans. Very nice flavor.
 
3 of 3 gardeners found this review helpful.  




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