Rattlesnake & Purple Pole

START SEEDS OUTDOORS In spring once weather is warm and settled and night temperatures stay securely above 55°F (13°C), plant seeds in well-worked, fertile soil in full sun. Erect strong stakes, tripod poles, or trellis at planting time for support. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart along a trellis, or if planting around tripods or stakes, plant 4 to 6 seeds 4 inches from each pole, thinning seedlings to 3 best plants. GROWING NOTES Beans are easy to grow, but wait until spring weather is warm both night and day to plant them, because cold conditions prevent good germination. If first sowing comes up unevenly, replant right away; new seedlings will catch up quickly. Birds are often attracted to young bean seedlings, so watch carefully and protect with netting or floating row covers if necessary. Avoid cultivating plants or picking pods when plants are wet. HARVEST AND USE Both these heirloom pole varieties are heavy bearers, so harvest pods often. The more you pick, the more plants will produce. Harvest for snap beans when pods are well filled out, but bean seeds have not swelled in the pods. Cook just until tender to enjoy best flavor and texture. For dried beans, let some of the Rattlesnake bean pods fully mature and dry on the plants if you want to shell out the pretty mottled beans inside to enjoy in dried bean recipes and chili.