Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners

Reviewed on 06/27/2012 by Zeedman - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Winnebago, Wisconsin, 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
Probably the largest of the French Flageolet- type beans. 8-10 foot vines, but somewhat wispy compared to many pole beans, so can be spaced more closely. I used hills of 2-3, with 12 inches between hills. This is a shelling bean, the pods quickly become fibrous. Its best use is as a green shelled bean, harvested when the pod becomes limp but the ripe seed within is not yet dry. Finding the proper harvest stage takes some practice, because there is very little change in pod color... the pod stays green even when dry. The seeds within are a medium green when fresh shelled, light green when dry. The flavor when green shelled is OUTSTANDING, truly gourmet quality. The 5-6 inch pods each held 4-6 beans, they shelled out very easily either green shelled or dry, and the seed quality was exceptional - almost no culls. I rated it 5 for flavor & overall because I believe it is the best in its class (Flageolet/shell beans), but 3 for ease, because some I have traded with in warmer climates reported poor heat tolerance. It does great in my Upper Midwest climate.