The Modern Victory Garden

Thought the title might get your attention ! It is the name of my pole beans I bought from Seed Savers Exchange. They have been by far the best beans I have ever grown. Tons of beans on strong vines. I made two large harvests.

That definitely is an attention getting name!  LOL!    I grew those about six years ago and they produced well for me too.   I don't know why I have not grown them since?!   Your reminder is timely as I can add them to my list of things to order for next year - including for the Giving Garden that I volunteer at because we plan to expand the garden and set up a large pole bean row with bamboo support structures.   These would be a good choice for that planting.

Laura,

I got tired of picking and decided to save the rest for seed. Do I have to wait till the plants dry up? The pods are huge and fat. I am going to have a ton of seeds and would love to send you some in the spring!

Larry

It is best to let them dry on the vine if at all possible and then shell them and dry them indoors for even longer.  I like to lay them out flat on a big cookie sheet lined with a paper towel.   It takes a surprisingly long time to get dried seeds truly try in our more humid climate.   If the weather turns really wet, you can pull the plants and hang them from rafters in a garage or shop to dry.   The hanging and spreading out of the leaves encourages ventilation.

I would love some seeds if you are successful in getting them saved.   I have Cascadia sugar snap peas that I am saving seed from (again) and will have plenty of extra that we could do a swap if you are interested in them.

That would be great I'll let you know how my germination rate tests go early next spring!

Let's touch bases next spring then after we both determine the viability of our saved seed supplies.  

Okay so I need to work on my seed saving skills. I ended up saving 900 bean seeds lol and that was after getting rid of all the imperfect ones. I thought about just making soup but I think I'll share a bunch after I do the viability tests in early spring. Next year I will know I need just a few pods!

Seed saving can be tricky.    I am glad my life does not depend on my seed saving skills or I might be in trouble.