The Great Bean Rescue 2017-2018
The problem...
Nelson Seed Library was given an amazing bean collection by the Heritage Food Crops Research Trust but much of it was getting pretty old and losing viability.
2020 Up Date
Sadly we have lost a number of varieties of bean from our collection. Contact The Heritage Food Crop Research Trust for a wide variety of heritage bean seeds, grow them on and share with the Nelson Seed Library.
Nelson Seed Library was given an amazing bean collection by the Heritage Food Crops Research Trust but much of it was getting pretty old and losing viability.
2020 Up Date
Sadly we have lost a number of varieties of bean from our collection. Contact The Heritage Food Crop Research Trust for a wide variety of heritage bean seeds, grow them on and share with the Nelson Seed Library.
The plan...
To grow out as many varieties of our special bean collection as possible in the 2017-2018 year. We need people across the region to take up the challenge of protecting a few varieties. Beans are among the easiest seeds to learn to save and a great way to start out - check out our seed saving information.
How to become a rescuer....
Head down to the Elma Turner Library during opening hours and look in the seed library drawers. We now have two drawers full of beans, the top one contains our climbing beans, these will need a support structure, the second drawer contains our dwarf beans which typically do not need any support. Select a couple of varieties of bean and take them home to grow, due to the poor germination please take a few more than you think you need.
How to grow the beans....
These old beans are going to need a little extra TLC so waiting until the soil has warmed in October and protecting them just in case we get a late frost is recommended. Slugs, snails and birds are fond of the newly emerged seedlings so some protection from these is also advised. Most beans do well if planted at a depth twice the size of the seed, covered over, watered in and then left until they germinate. If your beans are climbers then get the support in at planting time. Ensure you keep your beans labelled at all times, from seed to seed.
For bonus points...
It would be fantastic if you could record basic information about the growth of the beans on our bean rescue form (available at the library or download here). This allows us to update the descriptions available on the seed jars and in the catalogue. If possible we would also like you to email any photos of the beans growing and of the pods and seeds when harvested - Please email these with the variety name to us at [email protected]
Complete the rescue...
It is really important that you remember to save the seeds and get these back to us at the seed library. After the pods are dry, bring them in and let them dry further in a cool place with plenty of air flow. To check if the beans are dry press into them with a fingernail, if they dent easily they still need further drying. When properly dried, bag them, label them and return them to the seed library.
To grow out as many varieties of our special bean collection as possible in the 2017-2018 year. We need people across the region to take up the challenge of protecting a few varieties. Beans are among the easiest seeds to learn to save and a great way to start out - check out our seed saving information.
How to become a rescuer....
Head down to the Elma Turner Library during opening hours and look in the seed library drawers. We now have two drawers full of beans, the top one contains our climbing beans, these will need a support structure, the second drawer contains our dwarf beans which typically do not need any support. Select a couple of varieties of bean and take them home to grow, due to the poor germination please take a few more than you think you need.
How to grow the beans....
These old beans are going to need a little extra TLC so waiting until the soil has warmed in October and protecting them just in case we get a late frost is recommended. Slugs, snails and birds are fond of the newly emerged seedlings so some protection from these is also advised. Most beans do well if planted at a depth twice the size of the seed, covered over, watered in and then left until they germinate. If your beans are climbers then get the support in at planting time. Ensure you keep your beans labelled at all times, from seed to seed.
For bonus points...
It would be fantastic if you could record basic information about the growth of the beans on our bean rescue form (available at the library or download here). This allows us to update the descriptions available on the seed jars and in the catalogue. If possible we would also like you to email any photos of the beans growing and of the pods and seeds when harvested - Please email these with the variety name to us at [email protected]
Complete the rescue...
It is really important that you remember to save the seeds and get these back to us at the seed library. After the pods are dry, bring them in and let them dry further in a cool place with plenty of air flow. To check if the beans are dry press into them with a fingernail, if they dent easily they still need further drying. When properly dried, bag them, label them and return them to the seed library.
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