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Mountaineer White Half-Runner Bean

Quick Facts:

  • Appalachian heirloom
  • Fat, rounded beans
  • Stringless at young stage
  • Short, semi-runner plants
  • Approx. 55 days to maturity

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Quantity: Packet (50 Seeds)

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We ship to all areas of North America including the United States, its territories and outlying islands, and Canada. International orders may incur an additional charge to cover the handling of customs paperwork. Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt. Full warranty information can be found here.

Mountaineer White Half-Runner Bean

More about Mountaineer

Phaseolus vulgaris

Mountaineer is an heirloom white half-runner bean that produces good yields of stout, 4-inch beans on sprawling semi-runner type plants that reach up to 36 inches in length.  The fat rounded green beans are stringless when harvested at an early stage, with an excellent, old-fashioned flavor that is often lacking in newer stringless varieties.  If left on the plant, pods will eventually develop prominent strings as their plump, white seeds begin to swell, but they are still suitable at this stage for destringing and serving as shelly beans or for drying down to put by for winter.

The Mountaineer Half Runner Bean has somewhat of an elusive past, but the most credible reports have it as a descend... More

Less

Phaseolus vulgaris

Mountaineer is an heirloom white half-runner bean that produces good yields of stout, 4-inch beans on sprawling semi-runner type plants that reach up to 36 inches in length.  The fat rounded green beans are stringless when harvested at an early stage, with an excellent, old-fashioned flavor that is often lacking in newer stringless varieties.  If left on the plant, pods will eventually develop prominent strings as their plump, white seeds begin to swell, but they are still suitable at this stage for destringing and serving as shelly beans or for drying down to put by for winter.

The Mountaineer Half Runner Bean has somewhat of an elusive past, but the most credible reports have it as a descendant of a West Virginia heirloom known originally as Dunkle's Half Runner.  Certainly, historical documents of the day list various white half runner beans as being popular among German descendants living throughout West Virginia and other parts of Appalachia.  Sometime after the variety was collected, it was reportedly selected for resistance to mosaic virus and re-released in 1957 under the name Mountaineer. 

Like many other half-runner beans, trellising is optional with this variety.  Plants will wander a bit if left unsupported, so those looking to reduce the amount of back bending may wish to provide a fence, teepee or other structure to aid with harvest.  Plants mature approximately 55 days after sowing.  Possible synonyms: Old Dutch Half-Runner, White Half-Runner.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Phaseolus vulgaris

Mountaineer is an heirloom white half-runner bean that produces good yields of stout, 4-inch beans on sprawling semi-runner type plants that reach up to 36 inches in length.  The fat rounded green beans are stringless when harvested at an early stage, with an excellent, old-fashioned flavor that is often lacking in newer stringless varieties.  If left on the plant, pods will eventually develop prominent strings as their plump, white seeds begin to swell, ... read more

read less

Phaseolus vulgaris

Mountaineer is an heirloom white half-runner bean that produces good yields of stout, 4-inch beans on sprawling semi-runner type plants that reach up to 36 inches in length.  The fat rounded green beans are stringless when harvested at an early stage, with an excellent, old-fashioned flavor that is often lacking in newer stringless varieties.  If left on the plant, pods will eventually develop prominent strings as their plump, white seeds begin to swell, but they are still suitable at this stage for destringing and serving as shelly beans or for drying down to put by for winter.

The Mountaineer Half Runner Bean has somewhat of an elusive past, but the most credible reports have it as a descendant of a West Virginia heirloom known originally as Dunkle's Half Runner.  Certainly, historical documents of the day list various white half runner beans as being popular among German descendants living throughout West Virginia and other parts of Appalachia.  Sometime after the variety was collected, it was reportedly selected for resistance to mosaic virus and re-released in 1957 under the name Mountaineer. 

Like many other half-runner beans, trellising is optional with this variety.  Plants will wander a bit if left unsupported, so those looking to reduce the amount of back bending may wish to provide a fence, teepee or other structure to aid with harvest.  Plants mature approximately 55 days after sowing.  Possible synonyms: Old Dutch Half-Runner, White Half-Runner.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Tomatoes
Heirloom Tomatoes

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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