Old Speckled Hen Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Hello Has anybody grown these? Do you get enough beans to store or can you eat them like runner beans? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 I haven't grown them but I do have some to try this year, I think they are mainly for drying but hopefully someone more experienced will be able to enlighten us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 I have grown them for a couple of years and you can eat the whole bean when they are very young and small. They are best for drying and using during the winter, just leave them on the plant until the pod dries out and goes crispy. They look good too I feed mine with seaweed extract (I feed everything with seaweed)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 I grew a row of them last year and have a large kilner jar of beans that we use for adding to stews etc..... they are quite a good green manure as well as they fix nitrogen into the soil if you leave the roots in the soil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 Thanks everyone. I will give these a go. I'm trying some golden beetroot after watching HFW cook some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 you can dry them but you can also eat them fresh on 'jaimie at home' last week, mr oliver cooked them fresh in a winter salad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 They are soo beautiful when they are growing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 (I feed everything with seaweed)! Anyone visiting Christian be warned! I haven't grown these yet, but I would like to have a bash when we move, because I don't have the space available. Too much greeny beanstuff to go in the freezer instead. It would be nice to make your own baked beans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 We grew some last year and ate loads like runner beans yet still ended up with 2 x 1 litre jars full of dried beans for using in casseroles. There would have been more but we weren't able to harvest the last few and the pods went mouldy. They are lovely in soups, stews and casseroles. You need to soak them overnight with a teaspoon of bicarb added to the water though and boil them for an hour before using (which I keep forgetting to do ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 (I feed everything with seaweed)! Anyone visiting Christian be warned! I haven't grown these yet, but I would like to have a bash when we move, because I don't have the space available. Too much greeny beanstuff to go in the freezer instead. It would be nice to make your own baked beans. Baked beans are made from Haricot beans aren't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I have no idea - probably - anything goes in this house though! I'm afraid I put all dried beans into the same category! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebe Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 I tried growing them last year, straight outside, and nothing happened. this year I will try starting them off indoors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I tried growing them last year, straight outside, and nothing happened. this year I will try starting them off indoors. you could try starting them off on damp kitchen paper inside and then potting on when they germinate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Here in Cambridge a very eminent academic bred a bean which was less "anti-social". A bit silly, though, as adding a little (1/4 teaspoon wd probably do for most recipes) ground ginger will do the same thing w/o affecting the taste of the dish. Hope this is useful. It really does work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebe Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Matthew wrote you could try starting them off on damp kitchen paper inside and then potting on when they germinate thank you (belatedly !). I think I will try that as two lots I have started indoors in compost have failed to germinate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
girlsmum Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I have grown borlotti beans for the last couple of years. I tend to harvest some and use them that day, put some that have just been shelled in the freezer (just as they are) and leave some on the plants to dry out for storage. The beauty of the frozen ones is that you can just chuck them straight in the pot at any time of year. They taste delicious. Girlsmum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshinesupernova Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 I've got a load germinated and sprouting nicely now. I've planted far far far too many in the shed - last year a lot of things didnt grow for me - so I planted extra to be sure (to be sure) Don't know if they'd ship well wrapped in the post in a week or so once bigger.... but if you get desperate, let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
