Jacob’s Cattle Dry Bean

Description

Jacob’s Cattle Dry Bean
Phaseolus Vulagri

Popular New England heirloom may have originated with Native Americans in the Southwest. Derives its name from the biblical story of Jacob and the spotted cattle. Beans are white with mottled yellow pattern. Soft and creamy. Resistant to powdery mildew. Considered a pole bean.

Culture: Plant seeds in rows 4 inches apart, 1 inch deep, 2 feet between rows, as beans need good ventilation to prevent from fungal issues like powdery mildew. Give beans something to climb on like a willow stick.

Seed Saving: For dry beans allow pods to dry on the vine until pressing the beans with your fingernail leaves no indentation. If heavy rains threaten just before maturity, pull plants by the roots and hang them in a dry place to finish or pick pods, shell and finish drying indoors. Otherwise leave on vine until pods are crispy, dry and about to open on their own. Then cut at the root and leave in a dry place on a sheet until completely dry and popping open, when you can then stomp on the pods and winnow the beans from the chaff.