Mayflower Bean

Seed Count: Approx. 20 Seeds

Days to Maturity: 100

Pole variety, Snap/Dry Bean

Description:  Legend has it that these beans originally came over to America on the Mayflower.  The Mayflower Bean is a pole bean that produces "cut-short" beans.  Cut-short beans are a type of bean where the seeds outgrow the hulls, so the developing seeds push against each another making them appear square, rectangular, or have flattened sides.  Mayflower Beans are a beautiful creamy color, with dark-red speckles that look spray painted on the edges.  Use the young beans as a snap string bean or you can use them as a beautiful dry bean.  Mayflower beans, also known as the Amish Knuttle, are prized for their delicious flavor despite the strings.

How To Grow

Sowing:  Sow in average soil, in a sunny location, after the soil has warmed, as seeds may rot in cooler soils. Sow seeds 3 inches apart, in rows 24 inches apart, and cover with 1-2 inches of soil.  For a continuous crop sow new seeds every two weeks.  Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days depending on soil and weather conditions. Thin to 6 inches apart when seedlings are 1-2" high.  Beans do great companion planted with beets, marigolds, carrots, celery, swiss chard, corn, cucumbers, peas, potatoes, strawberry, radish and cabbage.  However, avoid growing near all members of the allium family, and sunflowers.

Growing:  In dry weather, keep soil well watered. Plants need about 2-3 inches of water per week during the growing season. Make sure foliage has time to dry in order to reduce disease.  These beans grow as vines, and will need 8-9 feet trellises or a fence to grow on. 

Harvesting:  Pick the beans for fresh eating, and check the vines often. Fully mature beans can be dried and used as soup beans. Fresh beans are best used immediately, but will keep in the fridge for several days. To harvest dry beans or to save seeds, allow for the pods to completely dry on the plant.  If frost or rainy weather conditions threaten, pull the plants, and dry in a cool, dry place indoors.  Beans should be completely dry 10-15 days later. Remove the seeds from the pods by hand, and store the seeds in a cool, dry place for up to 3 years.