Kidney,
Large Purple (Norberg or Wanda)
90 days — We love mysteries and this bean's
history is one of them. Two different gardeners, from opposite
ends of the Willamette Valley of Oregon, provided us with
seeds and similar stories.
One gardener's grandmother (Wanda) grew them for over 50
years after receiving seeds from her German neighbor who
grew them commercially on his farm during World War II near
Damascus, Oregon.
Our other source, Frank Gehrman, was a veteran of World War II who upon returning from
the war, bought his farm in Scotts Mills, Oregon from an
elderly farmer named Mr. Norberg. He had been growing
the bean on his place for many years and used it as one of
his primary staples.
These kidney-type beans are a deep maroonish-purple color
and large and meaty. The bean turns brown when cooked
and although they look similar to other kidney beans, the
flavor is outstanding. They seem to stay moist and not dry
out.
Montezuma Red
95 days —
Also known as 'Mexican Red'. Bushes
tend to sprawl a bit, reach about 14
inches, and produce small to medium sized, flattened dark
red beans. An heirloom popular in California
since the mid-1800's but fairly rare now.
Keeps shape well when baked. About 80 seeds per ounce.
Taylor
Dwarf Horticultural 68 days — This variety dates back to the early
1800s and is reported to have been brought to the U.S. from
Italy. The plants are semi-runner type, 14 to 18 inches
long. Does well in cool climates. The seeds are tan streaked
with dark-red. They are good early as a snap bean but
generally used as green shell beans. About 50 seeds
per ounce.
Indicates
New Variety for 2009
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