white beans

[RSKY]

Showing my ignorance here.

What kind of seed do I need to grow white beans?

Is it great northern, navy beans, or some other?

Thanks

RSKY

 

[brin]

RSKY - I think you can just go buy a bag or dried beans at your grocery store...the kind you want and plant them...Great Northern are smaller than Navy beans...

 

[jinman]

I think you have it right. Great Northern and Navy beans are two white beans that are favorites of mine. I've also seen Bush Beans (especially the pole type) that produce white beans if you let them mature. Most people just pick them early and snap/cut them as green beans because their hulls are so fleshy. However, if they mature, they produce a large white bean and thin shell. Just consider that Bush bean seeds are white beans.

EDIT: Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas) are also white, but not one of my favorites. Also, butter beans are mostly white, but limas are green.

 

[Barry 1]

Go to the grocery,get a pound of Great Northern for $1.29? and plant them.I tried it this year,and they grew good.

 

[Bird]

This talk of planting seeds from the grocery store reminds me of the time many years ago that my Dad was buying seed at the feed store and asked about planting grocery store beans (Pinto beans in this case) and the feed man, who was selling Pinto bean seeds for more than twice what grocery store beans cost, told him the grocery store beans wouldn't even sprout. So Dad planted two rows of feed store beans, but also two rows of grocery store beans. And for reasons unknown, the grocery store beans far out performed the feed store beans.:laughing:

 

[Jstpssng]

This talk of planting seeds from the grocery store reminds me of the time many years ago that my Dad was buying seed at the feed store and asked about planting grocery store beans (Pinto beans in this case) and the feed man, who was selling Pinto bean seeds for more than twice what grocery store beans cost, told him the grocery store beans wouldn't even sprout. So Dad planted two rows of feed store beans, but also two rows of grocery store beans. And for reasons unknown, the grocery store beans far out performed the feed store beans.:laughing:

Good to know... unfortunately I've had the exact opposite experience. A few years back I bought some pea beans at the local grocery chain... I planted two 40 foot rows but not one plant came up. It wasn't a complete waste though fortunately... I had intentionally bought extra and I do my gardening on weekends; and there was just enough left in the can for my traditional New England Saturday evening meal.

I think you have it right. Great Northern and Navy beans are two white beans that are favorites of mine. I've also seen Bush Beans (especially the pole type) that produce white beans if you let them mature. Most people just pick them early and snap/cut them as green beans because their hulls are so fleshy. However, if they mature, they produce a large white bean and thin shell. Just consider that Bush bean seeds are white beans.

EDIT: Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas) are also white, but not one of my favorites. Also, butter beans are mostly white, but limas are green.

OK, now I see where I went wrong. I planted B&M beans because they were on sale. Does it matter what kind of Bush beans I plant? My first choice would be the molasses and bacon; in case I have any leftovers they taste the best. But if you've had better luck with another than I will try them; just need to make the rows a little longer to use up the can.

 

[jinman]

OK, now I see where I went wrong. I planted B&M beans because they were on sale. Does it matter what kind of Bush beans I plant? My first choice would be the molasses and bacon; in case I have any leftovers they taste the best. But if you've had better luck with another than I will try them; just need to make the rows a little longer to use up the can.

So, did you talk to Duke about the secret family recipe? Bush beans (Blue Lake 274 Bush Beans), and Bush's beans are not the same.:confused3: However, if you plant those Bush's beans, the ants will all be your friends.:laughing:

 

[forgeblast]

Beans | Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co
I have had luck with these
Fava & Broad Beans | Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co the broad Windsor.

 

[RSKY]

Thanks to everybody for your responses. I will try the grocery store approach next year.

RSKY

 

[jinman]

Timing is everything when it comes to planting. The soil temperature and moisture level is critical. You can't do much about soil temps, but you can keep the area moist by watering. Some people start seedlings in a hothouse, but that's too big of a hassle for row crops like beans. I've always smiled at the expression that something isn't worth a hill of beans. Indeed! One hill would not be much. I suppose if your space is limited, you could plant pole beans in hills. The grocery store beans will not have planting instructions on the bag, but you can easily find those online. However, I'm amused that for planting depth, you can find any depth from 3/4" to 2" recommended. I usually shoot for planting large beans at least 1" to 1-1/2" deep. Smaller beans and peas I stick to 1" or less. That's just what works for me. No matter what you plant, germination and sprouting is the most critical for early spring plantings.