October beans, which are also called “fall beans” or “speckled beans,” are an assortment of old heirloom shell beans that usually ripen between the end of summer and the first frost.
Are cranberry beans and October beans the same?
October beans are in the cranberry bean family according to “Heirloom Beans” by Steve Sando (Rancho Gordo) and Vanessa Barrington. Incidentally, “Heirloom Beans” is a great bean reference/guide and for delicious, delightfully different, appetizer to main course recipes.
Can you grow beans in October?
Germination and Early Growth Plant bean seeds two weeks after the last frost for your area or when the soil temperature reaches 65 degrees Fahrenheit. October bean plants come in both bush and pole varieties, with pole varieties taking longer to mature.
Why are they called October beans?
I’m not sure why this type of bean is called a “fall/October bean” because they do not take much longer to mature than any other pole bean. They can be eaten fresh as a green bean, or they can be dried and shelled out to eat. They produce a large bean in a flattened pod, and many varieties are string-less.
Can you eat October beans raw?
Can you eat raw cranberry beans? You can store them fresh in the fridge for up to a week. Do not eat these or similar beans raw, as they contain a toxin that only neutralizes after 10 minutes of boiling. To cook, shell the beans and rinse them well.
What month do you plant beans?
spring
When to Plant Beans Seeds are best sown outdoors any time after the last spring frost date, when soils have warmed to at least 48°F (9°C). Don’t plant too early; cold, moist soil will delay germination and could cause the seeds to rot.
What beans can you plant in the fall?
Of the two types of snap beans, bush beans are preferred for fall planting beans over pole beans. Bush beans produce a higher yield before the first killing frost and earlier maturation date than pole beans. Bush beans need 60-70 days of temperate weather to produce.
How long to pressure can October beans?
Place in pressure canner, put the lid on and wait for it to steam. Once it begins steaming, let it steam for 10 minutes before putting the weight on it. Then once the weight begins to jiggle, start the timer for 90 minutes. (Pints – 1 hour, 15 minutes, Quarts – 1 hour, 30 minutes).
How do you store fresh October beans?
Shelled fresh shelling beans freeze beautifully. Lay shelled beans in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze, then transfer to a sealable plastic bag and freeze for up to six months.
Can you freeze October beans?
Shelling beans freeze beautifully. To freeze mine, I shelled and blanched them in boiling water for 3 minutes. Don’t wait for the water to come back up to a boil before you start timing.) Then I drained them into a colander and covered them with ice to stop them from cooking.
Do you soak beans before planting?
While you can speed germination of many seeds by soaking in water overnight, don’t soak beans before planting. Soaking bean seeds generally results in poor germination; instead, plant in warm, moist soil for best results in the garden.
What kind of beans grow in October?
Dry Bean October Bean is a Native American bean variety which dates back to the 1830s, grown by the Cherchei Nation in Tennessee. The October Heirloom Bush Bean is a beautiful white bean with lovely maroon wren’s egg markings.
Can you eat October beans?
Some tough-hulled types of october beans are commercially available as “French Horticulture Beans,” or “Cranberry Beans.” They are almost exclusively eaten as a dry bean, or in the desirable “shelly” phase when the bean seed is swollen and fully mature, but not yet dried out for dormancy.
Do October beans have a tough outer hull?
Many varieties of october beans are stringless, and have a tough outer hull. Some tough-hulled types of october beans are commercially available as “French Horticulture Beans,” or “Cranberry Beans.”
How do you plant pole bean seeds in October?
Planting Instructions for October Bean Seeds. Sow beans 1-2″ deep, 2-6″ apart, in rows 18-36″ apart, in full sun after danger of frost. Soaking bean seeds in water 1-2 hours before planting speeds germination. Bean g ermination occurs in 4-16 days in soil 60-85°F. Provide support for heirloom pole bean varieties.
