The dry bean harvest is in, the pods well dried and beans now shelled. This is only my third season to grow dry shell beans. With our cool, dank summers recently, tomatoes and other warm season crops have faltered, but the beans have done well despite the overcast.

You’ll get more background information about the beans I’ve chosen and which ones have been successful in my garden in my blog post from October 2023. Dry Bean Harvest.

Rancho Gordo describes the bean as “a small, dense yet velvety bean that holds its shape and provides a rich bean broth. Easily one of the staff’s favorite beans.” I concur. It is my most productive.

Siskiyou Seeds gives some history: “A versatile bush dry bean with an interesting story. All beans originated in Meso-America and then this one found its way to Sweden where it became adapted to the short growing season of that northern land and then came to Montana with Swedish immigrants in the 1800s and then was adopted by Native tribes in that area.  It is a small golden yellow bean similar in shape and size to black turtle beans and in that it holds it shape well when cooked.  Dries down dependably in shorter season climates and cooler summer areas.” (65 days per Siskiyou Seeds)

My experience for two seasons confirms its productivity and tolerance of cooler summers.

The stats: 50 beans (saved seed) weighed 13 gms which yielded 192 gms. (6.8 oz) of beans.
Productivity factor: 14.8

Tiger’s Eye beans are a stunningly beautiful heirloom bean—maybe the reason I grow them. Originally from Chile or Argentina, the skins all but disappear when cooked so they are a delicious choice for refried beans or chili. Purchase at Seed Saver’s Exchange. (80-90 days)

The Stats: 1 oz. saved seed yielded 7.8 oz. of beans.
Productivity Factor: 7.8

Cranberry beans delivered in a Specialty Produce box spurred my interest in growing them. I was enchanted by their history and color. Read more in my blog post Cranberry Bean Harvest and two linked posts at the end of the piece.

Seed source: Territorial Seed Co. sells the dark red bean seed. Some seed companies only offer the predominately white cranberry beans splashed with red. (75-90 days)

The Stats: 1.75 oz. saved seed yielded 11.3 oz. of beans.
Productivity Factor: 6.4

I’m especially fond of black beans and decided to try and grow. I ordered Black Coco bean seed from Territorial Seed Co. (95 days) The yield was disappointing so I’ll look for another black bean with a shorter seed to harvest date.

Seed Savers Exchange offers Black Valentine Black Beans with this description: “Shiny black seeds in 6" pods. Prolific and dependable. Tolerant of cool temperatures.” (50-55 days) Bonus points for lavender flowers.

The Stats: 1 oz. purchased seed yielded 1.9 oz. of beans
Productivity Factor: 1.9

Yellow Indian Woman beans were the clear winner for productivity (14.8) with Tiger’s Eye beans (7.8) and Cranberry beans (6.4) in a close second.

Ok, I’ll admit three things: 1) This is a little nerdy. 2) I like math. 3) These are hobby beans and will not feed us through the winter.

Now I’ll select the best seeds to save for planting next summer and make plans to use my harvested beans as the weather cools.

Check the What I’m Planting Now page as I plant the cool season garden. Then head to Harvest Monday, hosted by Dave at Happy Acres blog and see what garden bloggers around the world harvested last week.

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