Hopi Beige — Heritage Climbing Runner Bean

Why I grow it

This is my first season growing Hopi Beige, a heritage climbing bean I'm trying for its potential as a drying bean.

The heritage seed supplier limits purchases to one packet of just eight seeds, so these are rather precious little plants. I've decided to share some of my small allocation so other gardeners can grow them too, hopefully harvest their own beans and save seed for future seasons.

I haven't harvested or cooked this variety yet, so I can't tell you how productive or delicious it is. That's part of the experiment — and one I'm looking forward to.

At a glance

• Type: Heritage bean

• Growth habit: Climbing

• Best use: Growing for dried beans and seed saving

• Season: Spring–summer

• Status: First season growing this variety

In the kitchen

I'm growing these with the hope that they'll make another good drying bean for winter cooking.

Unlike some of my other heritage beans, I haven't cooked these yet, so I can't offer a personal verdict on their flavour or texture. That will have to wait until harvest.

In the garden

A climbing bean that will need a sturdy trellis, tipi or other support as it grows.

Plant in a sunny position with well-drained soil and allow the pods to mature fully if you're growing them for dried beans or seed saving.

If you're keen to help keep this variety going, leave some of your healthiest pods to mature and dry, then save the seeds for another season.

Care

Water regularly while establishing and during flowering and pod development. Avoid waterlogged soil and provide good airflow.

What you'll receive

One pot containing 2 Hopi Beige climbing bean seedlings.

These are from my first small batch, and only two pots are available.

Plants naturally vary in size and shape and may be supplied in reused nursery pots or growing bags — perfectly useful plastic doesn't need replacing simply because it doesn't match.