Country Creek LLC
Blue Lake Pole Bean Seeds
Description & Nutritional Value
The blue lake bean variety is an heirloom developed from the blue lake pole bean. Heirloom blue lake beans are a popular variety that has been around for generations. The pole version was the predecessor, but the bush was developed from it in 1961. These gardener favorites produce straight, long pods that were favorite canning beans. The pods all mature at roughly the same time, which makes them perfect for canning and freezing, but they taste great fresh too. Blue Lake beans are a good source of vitamin K to assist in faster wound healing, vitamin C to strengthen the immune system while reducing inflammation, fiber to stimulate the digestive tract, and vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning. The beans also contain potassium to balance fluid levels within the body and lower amounts of manganese, calcium, phosphorus, copper, and iron.
How To Grow
Heirloom blue lake beans grow easily in full sun and well-draining but fertile soil. Plant seeds in spring once soil is workable and warming up. The soil should have a pH of 5.8-6.0. Beans need plenty of phosphorus and potassium. Experts suggest inoculating the seeds with Rhizobium bacteria prior to planting to enhance nitrogen availability. Plant seeds a half inch (1-2 cm.) deep and three inches (8 cm.) apart. Water deeply once seeds are installed. Once they have germinated, usually within 6-12 days, keep plants moderately moist. Blue Lake beans are resistant to mosaic virus, a common bean and other veggie problem. They need to be kept moderately moist during the early days to prevent damping off. Water early in the day or use drip irrigation to keep moisture off the leaves and prevent several fungal diseases.
How To Use
Blue Lake beans have a mild, fresh grassy flavor well suited for both raw and cooked applications such as steaming, sautéing, roasting, and stir-frying. The beans can be served whole, halved, or sliced and tossed into green salads, mixed into grain bowls, or simmered into curries, soups, and stews. Blue Lake beans can also be steamed or roasted and served as a side dish, stir-fried with other vegetables, incorporated into quiches, or cooked into creamy casseroles. In addition to fresh preparations, Blue Lake beans are popularly used in quick pickling recipes and canning. Unwashed, raw Blue Lake beans will keep up to 7 days when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Cooked green beans will keep 3 to 5 days when stored in the refrigerator.
Origin
All seeds are grown and packaged in the U.S. Each bag is individually labeled.
Germination
All seed lots are tested for germination.
Sprouting
Works great with any type of sprouter.