Dragon Tongue Bush Bean

Seed Count: Approx. 15 Seeds

Days to Maturity: 55-60

Bush variety, Snap/Shelling bean

Description:  The dragon Tongue bush bean is a Dutch wax bean variety with flavorful, juicy, crisp pods.  It's a very popular variety with chefs and gourmet foodies.  The 6-8 inch stringless pods are ready to harvest, as a snap bean, when the cream colored pods become streaked with bright purple.  They can be eaten raw or cooked, but the purple streaks fades away once cooked.  These beans are dual purposed, and if allowed to fully develop, they can also be shelled and used as a dry bean.  When fully developed the purple streaks turn into a deep red color, and the beans develop markings that are just as cute as the pods.  Dragon Tongue beans are high yielding, and grow on compact bush like plants with cute purple flowers.

How To Grow

Sowing:  Sow in average soil, in a sunny location, after the soil has warmed, as seeds may rot in cooler soils. Sow seeds 3 inches apart, in rows 24 inches apart, and cover with 1 inch of soil. Seedlings emerge in 10-14 days depending on soil and weather conditions. Thin to 12 inches apart when seedlings are 1-2" high.  Beans do great companion planted with beets, carrots, and cucumbers.  However, avoid growing near all members of the allium family, and sunflowers.

Growing:  In dry weather, keep soil well watered. Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Make sure foliage has time to dry in order to reduce disease.  Do know that this plant can get scorched with intense heat.  These beans grow in a bush habit and don't really need support, but I did have to provide support once they got filled with beans.

Harvesting:  To harvest, pick pods when young and tender for the best taste and tenderness. Check vines often since this is a very productive plant.  By picking often, you are encouraging more bean production. Fresh beans are best used immediately, but will keep in the fridge for several days. To save seeds, allow the pods to mature fully and dry on the vine. If frost or rainy weather threatens before your beans are dry, pull the plants and allow them to dry indoors. They should be completely dry 10-15 days later. Remove the seeds from the pods by hand, and store the seeds in a cool, dry place for up to 3 years. These beans will also freeze well, if blanched first. Try these beans sauteed with butter, shallots, and garden herbs for a delectable treat.