Description
A long-time favorite for the home garden.
Sweet and buttery. Butterbeans are acclaimed as the finest in green vegetable soybeans. The 2-2 1/2′ stocky plants are well-branched and stand well, producing a prolific set of large pods with tan pubescence. A good percentage of pods contain three large beans that are relatively easy to shell. Please note that there will be a few plants with white pubescence and an occasional extra-tall plant in this year’s seed lot. The beans on the white plants taste similar to the regular Butterbeans, but those on the extra-tall plants are of inferior eating quality. We are working on removing these offtypes from future productions.
CULTURE:After the last frost date plant 2″ apart, 1″ deep, rows 15–30″ apart in any good garden soil. Upright plants are easier to cultivate. For nitrogen-fixing inoculants, which can increase yields, use those formulated for soybean crops. In extremely rich soils, plants sometimes exhibit overly lush growth, growing too tall to stand up. In this case, plants should be hilled up with soil. Soybeans can stand somewhat dry conditions, but irrigation may be necessary during drought periods.
FRESH SOYBEAN HARVEST AND COOKING:Most pods ripen at once. Clip plants near base when the beans are plump in the pods. Beans attain their highest fresh weight just as pods begin to lose their bright green color. Hand-strip remaining leaves and tie small bunches of plants for retailing. Shelling tips: strip pods, rinse, and steam or boil for about five minutes or until tender, after which the beans can be easily popped from the pods. Boil in salt water to complete cooking. Package for freezing at this point.
DRY SOYBEAN HARVEST:When at least 90% of the leaves have fallen and the pods are dry, pull the plants out by the roots. Complete drying under cover if weather is wet.
THRESHING:Depending on quantity, thresh by (1) shelling pods individually, (2) holding several plants by the roots and banging back and forth inside a barrel or trash can, (3) stepping on a large, closed bag full of dry plants, (4) using a properly adjusted threshing machine.
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