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Growing Shirohana Mame Beans in the Vegetable Garden
Sow the seeds directly into your garden soil after the final frost date. Direct sowing is essential because these seeds are sensitive to transplanting, and it ensures optimal germination and robust growth. Place each seed 1 to 2 inches deep in well-prepared soil enriched with organic matter. The soil should be fertile, well-draining, and have a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Incorporating compost or well-rotted manure before planting enhances nutrient availability and promotes healthy plant development.
Space the seeds about 36 inches apart to provide ample room for each plant. Maintain row spacing of 36 to 48 inches to allow for proper air circulation and easy access for maintenance and harvesting. Since Shirohana Mame Beans are vigorous climbers, gardeners should install trellises, poles, or other sturdy support structures at planting time. These supports must be strong enough to handle the weight of mature vines and withstand wind and other weather conditions.
Mulching around the base of the plants helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. It's best to water at the base of the plants rather than overhead to minimize the risk of fungal diseases. If your soil is nutrient-deficient, applying a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer can be beneficial. Avoid excessive nitrogen. Ensuring proper air circulation and appropriate spacing can help prevent pest infestations and diseases.
Harvesting Shirohana Mame Beans
To harvest mature beans, allow the pods to fully develop on the vine until they begin to dry and turn yellow or brown, usually around 80 to 85 days after planting. Once the pods are dry, carefully pick them and remove the beans. To harvest, gently pull or cut the pods from the vines to avoid damaging the plant. Regular harvesting of mature pods encourages the plant to continue producing. Leaving too many mature pods on the plant may reduce overall productivity.
About Shirohana Mame Bean Garden Seeds
The mature beans have a rich, creamy texture ideal for soups, stews, casseroles, and baked dishes. They can be pureed into spreads, incorporated into salads, or used in grain bowls. While the young pods can be consumed as snap beans, this is less common due to their fibrous nature compared to other varieties specifically bred for that purpose.
Raw Shirohana Mame Beans are not safe to eat and should be cooked thoroughly before consumption. Like many other beans in the Phaseolus coccineus species, Shirohana Mame Beans contain natural toxins called lectins, specifically phytohaemagglutinin. These substances can cause food poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if the beans are consumed raw or undercooked.
Bred for both beauty and utility, the Shirohana Mame Bean serves multiple purposes. Its ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies makes it an excellent choice for ecological gardening.
Stories From Our Gardeners
"Garden plants that are beautiful as well as useful are my weakness! I love the breathtaking flowers of the Shiroana Mame plant. They are a must-see. The dry beans are great for food storage as well!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Non-GMO Shirohana Mame Bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
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ATTRIBUTES
Basic Info
Latin Name: |
Phaseolus coccineus
|
Bean Sub-Type: |
Asian - Asian beans encompass a wide spectrum of bean varieties, either originating from Asia or being especially popular in Asian cultures. |
Shirohana Mame Bean Color: |
White |
Shirohana Mame Bean Flavor: |
Sweet, nutty, subtle, rich flavor. |
Growing Info
Hardiness Zone: |
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
Days to Maturity: |
80-95 |
Days to Germination: |
5-10 |
Seeding Depth: |
1 inch |
Plant Spacing: |
36-48 inches |
Row Spacing: |
24-36 inches |
Plant Height: |
60-96 inches |
Growth Habit: |
Vining |
Soil Preference: |
Beans prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. As light feeders and nitrogen-fixing legumes, beans do not require nitrogen-heavy fertilizers. |
Temperature Preference: |
Warmer (70-85 F). |
Light Preference: |
Full Sun |
Other
Direct Sow: |
Yes, direct sow when soil temperatures are reliably above 60 F. Planting with an inoculant may increase yields, but is certainly not required for a successful grow. |
Start Indoors: |
Not Recommended. Beans grow best without any root disturbance. We recommend direct sowing instead of transplanting. |
Bean Pollination: |
Beans are self-pollinating as they contain both the male and female parts within their flowers, unlike other fruit and vegetable plants. While they are self-pollinating, having a variety of pollinators and flowers around will improve yields by ensuring the greatest chances for pollinating events to occur. |
Snap or Shell Bean: |
Shell - Shell beans have a non-edible woody or fibrous husk that contains the edible beans within. For example, edamame has the beans inside, but you wouldn't want to eat the husk. Shell beans are also sometimes referred to as shelling beans. |
Pole or Bush Bean: |
Pole - Pole beans are vining-type plants that put out runners that grow very long or tall. Pole beans are so-called because they require a trellis, support, or wait for it… a pole. Pole beans require more effort than bush beans but may also be grown in containers with the right support. |
Plant Width: |
12-24 inches |
Growth Speed: |
Late - Ready for harvest around 86 days or more. |
Deer Resistant: |
No |
Germination Temperature: |
70-90 F |
Pests and Diseases: |
Beans are susceptible to beetles, aphids, spider mites, and cutworms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Keeping your bean plants clean from dust build-up and surrounded by a variety of plants to help deter and prevent pest damage. Beans are also susceptible to powdery mildew, bean blight, rust, and root rot. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
Garden Size: |
Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
Bean Use: |
Soup, stew, ground into flour. |
Climate Tolerance: |
Cool |