Seeds, Beans Borlotti (West Coast Seeds)

The long vines of this Italian heirloom will grow 20 feet tall if provided support. These produce masses of 15cm (6”) pods by late summer.

It’s amazing how productive this vigorous climber can be. The beans are easy to shuck and dry, and once reconstituted for winter soups, they are creamy in texture, with a wonderful nutty flavour.

Borlotti beans are sometimes referred to as Romano beans - not to be confused with the flat green or wax beans like Hilda Romano beans. Rather, Borlotti appear to be descendants from the original Cranberry beans that originated in Colombia the Cargamanto bean. Borlotti were bred to have a thicker skin, and are popular all over the Mediterranean region. The original Cranberry beans, the Borlotti that returned to North America with Italian immigrants, and various other beans (like Taylor Horticultural bean) can still be found that share a common lineage.

Matures in 80 days

Season Warm season

Exposure Full-sun

Timing
Sow as early as possible for dry beans, in late spring, once the soil warms up a bit so plants can mature before wet weather sets in. Optimal soil temperature: 21-32°C (70-90°F).

Starting
Sow seeds 2-5cm (1-2″) deep, 5-8cm (2-3″) apart, in rows 45-60cm (18-24″) apart. Thin to at least 15cm (6″) apart in each row. If the weather is too wet, beans can also be started in pots indoors and set out carefully a few weeks later. Seeds will sprout in 8-16 days, depending on conditions.

Companion Planting
Beans fix nitrogen in the soil. Plant with Brassicas, carrots, celery, chard, corn, cucumber, eggplant, peas, potatoes, radish, and strawberries. Avoid planting near chives, garlic, leeks, and onions. Pole beans and beets stunt each other’s growth.