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Magpie bean common beans arranged in the shape of a magpie bird on a white background.
Bean Seeds, Magpie Bean
Bean Seeds, Magpie Bean
Bean Seeds, Magpie Bean
Magpie bean common beans arranged in the shape of a magpie bird on a white background.
Bean Seeds, Magpie Bean
Bean Seeds, Magpie Bean
Bean Seeds, Magpie Bean

Bean Seeds,
Magpie Bean

52 ReviewsSKU: #BN182
Price
Regular price $4.00
Regular price $0.00 Sale price $4.00
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Min. 40 seeds

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Description

50 days string bean. A gorgeous bush bean that can be enjoyed as a fresh eating string bean or left to dry on the plant. Peel open the massive dried 6-inch pods to reveal incredible black and white beans that resemble the wings of a magpie! This old beloved heirloom was brought to the U.S in the early 1900s from France and is well adapted to growing in the U.S, productive and tasty!

Plant Details

Days to Maturity
50

Growing Guide

When to Grow

Hold off on sowing until the weather is warm; cool soil will cause bean seeds to rot rather than sprout. Direct seed Magpie 1 inch deep and 2 to 4 inches apart, keeping the bed moist but not soaked — at 70–80°F the seeds germinate in just 5 to 8 days. It is a bush bean, so it needs no support; thin plants to 4 inches apart and pick continuously to keep them producing. Pods are ready as string beans in about 50 days, or you can leave them on the plant to dry.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Beans are very easy to germinate. Keep in mind that they must have warm weather in order to germinate; cool weather will cause beans to rot in the soil.
  • Direct seed or sow indoors.
  • Sow seeds 1 inch deep and 2-4 inches apart. Keep seedlings moist but not soaked.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 70-80 F.
  • Seeds germinate in 5-8 days.

How to Grow

  • Bush green beans do not need support and should be thinned to 4 inches apart.
  • Continuously pick to keep plants productive.
  • Pole green beans will need support. Try growing them up a fence or constructing a trellis.
  • Thin pole beans to 6 inches apart.
  • Dry beans are grown just like green beans. They can be harvested when immature and used like green beans or left on the vine to dry.
  • To harvest, pull the plants and shake them vigorously into a bag to release the beans from their pods.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Use drip irrigation to keep leaves dry and disease free.
  • The Mexican bean beetle can be a difficult insect pest. Apply organic insecticidal soap to the undersides of leaves to control the eggs.

How to Save Seeds

  • Beans do not easily cross pollinate and can be grown close to one another, making them the ideal seed saving project for beginners.
  • Save seeds from the best-looking, best- tasting, and most vigorous beans.
  • Store in a cool, dry place for the winter. (A glass jar in the refrigerator works well.)

FAQ

Is Magpie a snap bean or a dry bean?

Either one. It can be enjoyed as a fresh eating string bean at about 50 days, or left to dry on the plant — peel open the massive dried 6-inch pods to reveal incredible black and white beans that resemble the wings of a magpie.

Does it need a trellis?

No. This is a bush bean, which does not need support and should be thinned to 4 inches apart. Keep picking to keep the plants productive.

Can I save my own seed from it?

Yes — beans do not easily cross pollinate and can be grown close to one another, which makes them the ideal seed saving project for beginners. Save seed from the best-looking, best-tasting, and most vigorous plants and store it in a cool, dry place for the winter; a glass jar in the refrigerator works well.

Customer reviews

5 / 5 2 Reviews
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