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State White Half-Runner Bean

Quick Facts:

  • Appalachian heirloom
  • Robust, semi-runner beans
  • Plump, white seeds sometimes cut short
  • Semi-runner vines
  • Approx. 55 days to maturity

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Quantity: Packet (50 Seeds)

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State White Half-Runner Bean

More about State

Phaseolus vulgaris

The State Half-Runner Bean is a popular heirloom half-runner that produces heavy yields of tender green beans with white seeds.  True to its intended form, the State Half-Runner Bean is a stout bean with fat, round pods averaging 4 to 5 inches long and up to half an inch wide.  The enclosed white seeds are relatively large for a half runner and are sometimes cut short, or squared off, due to the limited space available inside the pod.  

While it has somewhat of an elusive past, the State Half Runner Bean is thought to have been selected from the original White Half Runner that was popular throughout West Virginia in the early 20th century.  Following its introduction sometime around 1949, the ... More

Less

Phaseolus vulgaris

The State Half-Runner Bean is a popular heirloom half-runner that produces heavy yields of tender green beans with white seeds.  True to its intended form, the State Half-Runner Bean is a stout bean with fat, round pods averaging 4 to 5 inches long and up to half an inch wide.  The enclosed white seeds are relatively large for a half runner and are sometimes cut short, or squared off, due to the limited space available inside the pod.  

While it has somewhat of an elusive past, the State Half Runner Bean is thought to have been selected from the original White Half Runner that was popular throughout West Virginia in the early 20th century.  Following its introduction sometime around 1949, the State Half Runner became popular throughout Appalachia, particularly in the mountains of North Carolina.

Although State Half Runner beans don't wander quite as much as a typical pole bean, gardeners may wish to trellis them to save strain on the back at harvest time.  Here in Iowa, we commonly see them growing to heights of 5 feet or more when we offer them a support structure and have come to prefer growing them that way.  Plants mature approximately 55 days after sowing and will yield until frost if kept well-picked.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Phaseolus vulgaris

The State Half-Runner Bean is a popular heirloom half-runner that produces heavy yields of tender green beans with white seeds.  True to its intended form, the State Half-Runner Bean is a stout bean with fat, round pods averaging 4 to 5 inches long and up to half an inch wide.  The enclosed white seeds are relatively large for a half runner and are sometimes cut short, or squared off, due to the limited space available inside the pod.  

While it ha... read more

read less

Phaseolus vulgaris

The State Half-Runner Bean is a popular heirloom half-runner that produces heavy yields of tender green beans with white seeds.  True to its intended form, the State Half-Runner Bean is a stout bean with fat, round pods averaging 4 to 5 inches long and up to half an inch wide.  The enclosed white seeds are relatively large for a half runner and are sometimes cut short, or squared off, due to the limited space available inside the pod.  

While it has somewhat of an elusive past, the State Half Runner Bean is thought to have been selected from the original White Half Runner that was popular throughout West Virginia in the early 20th century.  Following its introduction sometime around 1949, the State Half Runner became popular throughout Appalachia, particularly in the mountains of North Carolina.

Although State Half Runner beans don't wander quite as much as a typical pole bean, gardeners may wish to trellis them to save strain on the back at harvest time.  Here in Iowa, we commonly see them growing to heights of 5 feet or more when we offer them a support structure and have come to prefer growing them that way.  Plants mature approximately 55 days after sowing and will yield until frost if kept well-picked.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

How to Grow Semi-Runner Beans

Beans perform best in well-drained soil of normal fertility. Beans do not require supplemental nitrogen as they are able to fix their own, however a fall application of well-aged manure or compost will help to boost yields in poor soils. Avoid planting beans in low-lying or poor-draining areas as this can predispose seedlings to fungal diseases and damping off.

After the danger of frost has passed and daytime soil temps average at least 60 degrees, sow seeds 1" deep, 4-6” apart in rows 24-36" apart. Supporting semi-runner varieties with posts is not necessary, but will aid in harvest and may increase yield. Posts and tensile wire, bamboo/wooden tripods, or living trellises such as corn all provide suitable support. Avoid planting when cool, wet weather is forecast as this can increase the occurrence of fungal diseases and damping off.

Not recommended for beans

Insect Pests

Mexican Bean Beetles and Japanese Beetles can be controlled using a simple homemade insecticidal soap solution. Pheromone-based Japanese Beetle traps can also be effective at minimizing damage to plants. Finally, selection of tolerant cultivars is important in areas with known insect issues.

Diseases & Other Problems

Consult your local extension office to determine which diseases are most common in your area. Site selection is key in keeping bean diseases at bay. Select well-draining sites that do not have a history of disease. Giving plants ample space will allow leaves to dry more quickly and slow the spread of disease. Remove plant debris in the fall and turn over soil to minimize disease carryover. Avoid planting beans in the same location for at least two years. During hot and dry periods, beans may stop flowering or may drop flowers. Pod production will resume once moisture has returned.

Avoid harvesting beans in the morning before the leaves have dried or after a rain as this can spread disease. Timing the harvest is a matter of personal preference. Stringless beans are typically harvested before the seeds reach an appreciable size, while string beans are often harvested once the beans start to bulge in the pods For dry beans, individual pods may be harvested as soon as they have begun to yellow. Alternatively, entire plants may be pulled once a majority of pods have yellowed. Allow pods to dry for about four days before shelling. Once shelled, allow to cure for another week. Place in an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place. Dry beans can be stored for several years under these conditions. If vacuum-sealed with a desiccant bag in the container, they will keep for up to 30 years.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Beans are self-pollinating plants with perfect flowers that contain both male and female floral organs. Pollination typically occurs before the flower has opened, therefore crossing in beans is fairly uncommon. Isolation distances of a few feet are usually sufficient to prevent cross-pollination, so long as plants are not allowed to intermingle.

HARVESTING SEED:

Beans that are being saved for seed are harvested exactly as are dry beans. Mature yellow or brown pods are pulled and allowed to dry completely. The pods can then be "shelled" or opened to release the beans.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Bean seeds will maintain at least 50% germination for four years when stored under ideal conditions.

Beans growing on a trellis

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