Good Mother Stallard Bean

We’ll grow this every year. The plants suffered some mild neglect and weren’t in the greatest soil, but they made masses of big beans in large pods. They grew well over 8’ tall. Very attractive on the vine. And they germinated very well despite the cool soil (Portland springs can hang on well into June). So all good as far as growing. But where they really shine is in the bean pot. These make remarkable baked/barbecue beans, with a nice rich nutty flavor and a texture that doesn’t turn mushy when soft. And they are huge beans which make a satisfying mouthful. Now, they do take a long time to get tender - I’ll often have them in a low oven in a Dutch oven for six hours. For me that’s not a problem but I thought I should mention it. I’ve had many people say “these are the best beans I’ve ever had”. It’s a great bean for sure.

I grew these on an arch so the bean pods hang down under their leafed canopy making them easy to pick in the shade underneath. They grow easily, are nutty flavored and keep well.

This is one of my favorite varieties of beans I've ever grown. They are very easy to grow. Just plant when the soil warms in the spring, give it something to climb, and wait for delicious beans. Sometimes I have some immature pods on the plants when the frost kills it, but I usually get a pretty good harvest in spite of losing some each year. With proper support, watering, and sunshine, they produce very well.

Unlike the picture, those pods I got were very short, only have 1-3 seeds per pod, mostly 2 seeds, takes a long time to pick enough for one meal, flavor is good but nothing to rave about. Will leave rest of the pod to dry up and try bean soup .wont grow again next year, will try something else that's more productive.

Started off well then slowed down to a halt when the heat and humidity got bad in July. They came back around the Middle of October to give me a small harvest of beans before frost. Had to fight off stink bugs but very few were able to penetrate the tough pods. I haven't tasted them yet. I hear people rave about the flavor of the dried beans. They are very pretty. Would recommend for a cooler climate.