DRIED BEAN RESULTS: This year began with an idea, and an extensive two month search. The Idea: Start a multi-strain set of beans that could be dried, and begin adapting those strains to this area. The Search: To find as many strains as were already suited to our climate that were both organic and heirloom. That search resulted in 23 strains (purchased from multiple companies / seed banks). Now, since beans self pollinate, they are extremely difficult to hybridize (we are making no attempt at that). They are not, however, genetically identical ~ even within their own strains. Sooo... We can put them to the test(s) over a series of generations, which will select (think Darwin) for those with the strongest genes / strongest traits within the strain. And by strongest I mean best suited for this area climate wise, insect wise, soil wise, and any otherwise... LOL Their first test was perhaps one of the harshest of all. They were planted in full sun, in a windy location (open field garden location), they were crowded (planted too close), and were shown no love (no watering, no weeding, no fertilizer, no bug spray, etc)... We also set a planting and harvesting date to cull any late starters or those taking too long to mature. Though we had a large investment in the seed, none of it meant anything if we were unwilling to test them ~ and ultimately better them... Today, the results: We were able to easily harvest a fairly large quantity compared to what was planted. Some did better than others, but we were able to identify most of the original strains from the seeds we gathered (they were mixed before planting, and will forever remain so). They are now vacuum sealed in four packages and in the fridge. One to be planted under the same conditions as this year... The rest, well, we have all winter to think up new challenges for them... LOL We are, however, extremely please with the results thus far... B| Mark B|
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 00:21:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015