Bean Climbing 'Rattlesnake

Product: Bean Climbing 'Rattlesnake

Product type: SEED (40)

Botanical name: Phaseolus vulgaris

Syn.: Syn. 'Preacher'

Rattlesnake is an excellent climbing bean with a long harvest. Pods are 18 cm long, green, streaked with purple, stringless when young, with a rich, full flavour. The pods can be eaten fresh or allowed to dry on the vines for a harvest of beige and brown speckled seeds that are delicious in soups. It copes well with heat.

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: April - July; snake beans grow better

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 days fresh; 90 days as a dried bean