Hunsrücker Weisse Pole Bean

In the heart of eighteenth-century Sulzbach bei Rheumen, amidst the rolling hills of the western Pfalz, a botanical treasure was cultivated. This robust white pole bean, a cherished heirloom, crossed the Atlantic in the hands of Palatine settlers to become a prized jewel of the Pennsylvania Dutch kitchen garden.

These vigorous vines stretch ten to twelve feet skyward, creating a lush emerald canopy. Prolific and early to bear, they produce abundantly all summer long, rewarding gardeners with wave after wave of harvest. From these heights hang bountiful clusters of long, elegant pods, gracefully curved like the artisan caseknives of old. When harvested young, they offer a crisp, succulent snap; when fully mature, they yield ivory-white seeds that transform into creamy perfection in soups, savory stuffings, and rustic casseroles.

This vigorous climber demands a sturdy trellis to support its magnificent growth. To plant these seeds is to weave a thread of the 1700s into your own garden.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: Grown as an annual in all zones (1–13); however, it thrives best in temperate regions similar to its German origins (Zones 4–8).
• Perennial Potential: None; it is a tender annual that must be replanted each season.
• Sun Exposure: Full Sun (minimum 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily).
• Soil Requirements: Deep, well-drained, and loamy soil; rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0–7.0.
• Planting Time: Late spring to early summer, strictly after the last frost when soil temperatures have warmed to at least 60°F (16°C).
• Planting Depth & Spacing: 1 inch deep; 3–4 inches apart at the base of supports, with 30–36 inches between rows.
• Support: Required; needs a sturdy trellis, cattle panel, or 7–8 foot poles to accommodate its vigorous climbing habit.
• Watering: Consistent and even moisture is critical, especially during the flowering and pod-setting stages. Water at the base to keep foliage dry.
• Temperature Sensitivity: Highly sensitive to frost. Extreme heat (above 90°F) may cause "blossom drop," where the plant temporarily stops producing pods until temperatures cool.
• Harvesting: Harvest at 65–75 days for fresh, stringless green pods, or wait 90–100+ days for the pods to dry completely on the vine for white soup beans.
• Offering: 25 exquisite seeds