Rattlesnake Snap Bean

Seed Count: Approx. 15 Seeds 

Days to Maturity: 60-90 days

Pole variety, Snap/Dry Bean

Description:  The Rattlesnake snap bean, also known as the preacher bean, produces 8 inch, round, dark green pods streaked with a lovely purple.  The beans grow on vigorous tall vines reaching about 10 ft. tall.  The buff colored beans are splashed with dark brown, resembling a rattlesnake's skin, and are the perfect bean to add to soups.  The fresh pods are very fine, and sweet, and filled with tons of full delicious flavor.  This variety is an easy growing, heavy producer that does well in hot humid areas due to its drought tolerance.  As long as you keep these beans consistently picked, they will produce delicious beans all season long!

How To Grow

Sowing:  Beans thrive in heat and humidity.  They should be direct sown when the weather is fairly warm, and the soil temp. reaches at least 75 degrees F. Plant in average soil. Too much fertilizer will burn your bean plants.; these beans like full sun. Plant the seeds 1" deep and 3" apart, later thinning to 6-8" apart. Keep the ground moist until germination, which should occur within 7-10 days.

Growing:  Beans need to be trained on a trellis of at least 7' to support its vigorous vining habits. Protection may be needed, if cold weather threatens. Since dry weather stunts the growth of the pods, water the plants when the soil completely dries out, but do not keep them swamped with water. Watch out for aphids and mites, which can be a big problem with this bean. Plant with marigolds, corn, potatoes, and eggplants.  However, avoid growing near all members of the allium family, and sunflowers.

Harvesting:  Pick the beans for fresh eating, and check the vines often.  Fresh snap beans are best used immediately, but will keep in the fridge for several days.  You can also let this bean mature to harvest as a dry bean.  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.