Here are the Cherokee Black Beans I'm growing. For the story of the
Cherokee Trail of Tears Black Beans click this link. I planted them along the block wall and strung baling wire up to the top for them to climb. The wall is about ten feet tall and the vines easily reach the top and more. The bean pods start out green, then turn a deep purple, and finally almost black.
The flower with it's soft lavender hue seems so delicate. Amazing to think how such large bean pods come from a demure and unassuming flower.
Here's are the leaves heart shaped in groups of three. I wonder if the beans can be eaten fresh when they're green; I'll see the farmer who gave them to me today and ask his advice.
These are the Cherokee Black beans I got last year which I planted this year. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
Nice beans! I'm curious, how long is your growing season?
ReplyDeleteHi Suzi, thanks, not too long, from May 15 to maybe end of September, we are hard pressed to get hot crops like the beans and squash at our location because we have trees on the east and west which lessens the hours of sunlight, I think if I started the crops inside early I'd have more success, although the beans are now getting lots of blossoms but the evening have turned cooler so leaves are starting to yellow and dry on the bottoms of the tomatoes. The beans are against that concrete wall so they get residual heat on into the evening which helps.
DeleteI usually buy a case of black beans from Costco. They are already cooked and I add them to chili. I prefer black beans to kidney beans.
ReplyDeleteHi Gigi, thanks, oh I prefer the black beans too, these black beans are different than the ones you'd get at Costco they are heirloom and much smaller than regular black beans. I cannot attest to their flavor yet since I haven't had enough to cook up yet.
DeleteHeirloom seeds are such a treat. And you are right about the delicacy of that flower.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, thanks, yes the heirloom seeds need to be encouraged for sure.
DeleteHere is a review I found on the Cherokee Black Beans, Linda.....
ReplyDelete"Review:
These are the best tasting black beans I've ever eaten. Don't waste them by eating them as green beans! Let them dry on the vines, then harvest and beat them to shatter the shells. Winnow to remove chaff and shelll bits. I store mine in glass canning jars. Tonight we ate meatless chili made with these beans and enjoyed every bite."
And yes...such a delicate flower...
Hi Lee, thanks oh this review is wonderful thanks so much.
ReplyDelete