Every year I try out different varieties of french beans.
They're one of my favourite veg to grow and a dead easy one to save seed from.
One I picked up at the seed swap was Kentucky Wonder. I'm always drawn to American varieties for some reason, I feel that they know what they like when it comes to growing veg!
So I've sown an early crop of these to grow under cover in the polytunnel, I never normally sow them this early so I'm looking forward to chopping on them a bit sooner.
I'm hopeful they'll be a tasty bean and one that doesn't get too stringy too soon!
Who else has grown this type? What's your favourite french bean to grow?
I grow dwarf french beans and I always start them off between damp kitchen paper. Works every time.
ReplyDeleteI tend to use root trainers and always get great germination results. Got so many french beans I want to grow this year! Some will be just be in pots to increase the amount of seed I have for next year!
DeleteI grow Blue Lake green beans. They have a good beany taste. For outright performance you can't go wrong with Contender, prolific, tender - although I found the taste too mild.
ReplyDeleteI like ones that taste of beans rather a milder taste. Maybe I'll try and get some blue lake ones for next year.
DeleteI used to grow Kentucky Wonders in the South to can - very abundant! In addition to canning, I always provided to several neighbors that did not garden. When canning, I put in a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of sugar (that idea came from my MIL) and they were delicious! Easy to grow in a backyard..
ReplyDeleteI've not canned beans before, we tend to freeze some and leave lots to go dry in the pods. I'd like to try canning them this year though. I'll add a little sugar! sounds good!
DeleteHey Kev, I have never heard of these beans, another to add to my growing book.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever see Pinto Gold (sometimes called Zebra) potatoes or Magic Molly potatoes. Could you give me a link. I cant seem to find them in this country. I have said to Northsider Dave as well about them. Really interested in growing these waxy potatoes.
I'll look out for them. I love a waxy potato far more than floury ones! We have big lists for our seed swap so I'll look out for them on there.
DeleteFantastic, it looks like they are an American potato, so it may be a no. But I would like to try them as they will be good for boiling, chipping and frying and in potato salad!
DeleteWe have planted Pinto potatoes (red and white patchy) this will be our 3rd year, not sure where mum got them from but we are in the uk.
Deleteoh that is exciting news I will keep looking. How do they grow? do you like them?
DeleteGreetings from northern Indiana, US. My mother always grew Kentucky Wonder pole beans. They were our fall green bean. The variety she grew always had a string that needed removal before cooking, I thought that was a fun job! I don't know if the beans still have strings or not. Haven't grown this variety in years.
ReplyDeleteI hope they don' have too much string in them but don't mind if it comes off easy when I'm topping and tailing them! I have lot so different beans to grow this year!
DeleteKentucky Wonder is a great pole bean (also comes as a bush type). I prefer 'Fortex' as my pole beans now. Great, no string, super taste. Canning beans? I grew up on 'em! Much the best way to preserve green beans. Try it, you'll keep doing it. I've never used sugar, but my grandmother - who owned a restaurant and was a great cook - always advocated using 'sugar like salt'. Meaning, use a little sugar and the taste is great, but not so much sugar you could taste it or know it was in there. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteFortex is another I haven't tried! Might be one to add to my wish list!
DeleteYeah, the canning of beans will have to happen this year especially with how many I was planning on putting in!
We grow Fall, Six Weeks, and Greasy Beans. I dry most of my extra beans to eat during the winter months
ReplyDeletebut also freeze them as well.