Lina Sisco's Bird Egg Bush Bean

Seed Count: Approx. 15 Seeds

Days to Maturity: 85

Bush variety, Shelling/Dry bean

Description:  In 1975, Lina Sisco co-founded the Seed Savers exchange, and included this cute bean in their catalog.  The Lina Sisco Bird Egg bean is a family heirloom brought to Missouri by her grandmother in the 1800s.  The large, plump beans are tan with sporadic maroon markings.  It is unbelievably aromatic and flavorful with super creamy, potato like texture.  Its a horticultural type primarily used as a dry bean, and grows in a bush habit on productive plants.  Fun fact, this is the bean that inspired my design of the bean prancing happily on the new Seed Mail seed boxes.

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 with short runners, and shouldn't need support.  However, you can support them if they grow too heavy for themselves.

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.