Bean Climbing 'Lazy Housewife'

Product: Bean Climbing 'Lazy Housewife'

Product type: SEED (20)

Botanical name: Phaseolus vulgaris

Syn.: syn. 'Lazy Wife'

Syn. 'Lazy Wife'; an heirloom bean introduced around 1810, it is believed these beans were so-named because they were the first beans to not require de-stringing! It has a great flavour and is very productive, bearing over a long period. The round, green pods grow 16 - 20 cm long with shiny white seeds. It can be used fresh or as a dried bean.

Plant type: Annual climbing bean

Plant height: Grows to 2 - 3 m; requires a trellis

Sow when: Beans are frost tender; germinate best at 18 - 25°C; seed will rot in cold, wet soil

Temperate: Spring to early summer

Subtropical: All year if frost-free; avoid Dec-Jan

Tropical: Unsuitable

Germination: 4 - 10 days

Depth: 2 - 4 cm deep

Position: Full Sun

Sow where: Direct into garden bed

Soil type: Fertile, well drained, pH 6.2 - 7

Details: Hill plants, up to 10 cm deep, to protect from wind damage; water well once after sowing seed and then do not water again until seedlings appear

Harvest: 75 - 80 days: pick daily, early in the morning for the best flavour