The 1500 year old cave bean is said to have originated in the southwest or western United States. It is said that they were found in a clay pot sealed in a cave in New Mexico, hence the name “cave”. The seeds are mottled white and red and the climbing plants can reach 2.5-3 meters. They can be harvested young and eaten fresh or harvested when fully ripe and dried for the winter.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Seeds

~20

Difficulty       

Easy

Sowing        

Direct

Lifecycle      

Annual

Root cellar   

Yes

Sowing season       

Spring, Summer

Growing tips

Conditions of germination:

depth of sowing: 2.5 cm

optimal temperatures of germination: 18 to 29ºC

time for germination: 5 to 12 days

When to sow:

direct sowing after any risk of frost when the soil is warmed up until early summer

Sowing technique: in line

draw a line in the soil (in pot or in the ground), then sow the seeds

Distance in the garden:

between plants: 10-15 cm

between rows: 60 cm

Height of the plants: 2.5-3 meters

Soil: rich and well drained

Exposure: full sun

Days to harvest (from sowing): 65-70 days for fresh beans and up to 80-90 days for dry beans