Malibu Stringless Pole Bean, Heirloom

The Malibu is a celebrated modern heirloom. While it doesn't trace back to the 1800s like some of our other varieties, it has earned its place in the heirloom category as a stable, open-pollinated variety that has been a favorite of organic growers and market gardeners for decades.

• First Listed: The Malibu variety first began appearing in specialty seed catalogs in the late 1980s. My friend Craig shared the stock he purchased from Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center. 
• Origin: It is most likely from the Southern Appalachian region. Wayne and Charlene Moss shared it with the Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center and they have made it available for planting. 
• Heritage: Because it is open-pollinated, gardeners have been saving and replanting Malibu seeds for over 30 years, adapting it to various microclimates across North America.

The Malibu is often referred to as a "pole-grown filet bean" because of its elegant, slender appearance when picked young. However, this bean is very good when the beans start toi develop. 

• The Pods: These beans produce straight, dark-green pods that typically reach 6 to 7 inches in length. They are uniform, smooth, and remarkably beautiful on the vine.
• Stringless Character: One of the Malibu's best traits is that it is completely stringless. Even if you miss a harvest day and the pods get a bit larger, they remain tender and snap cleanly without any fibrous "string" to remove.
• The Flavor: Expect a sweet, "beany" crunch with a delicate texture. It is the ideal variety for fresh eating, light steaming, or "Dilly Bean" pickling.

This is a vigorous climber that focuses its energy on heavy production. It is known for having a "concentrated" set, meaning it produces a massive amount of beans over a steady period.

"The Malibu is the bean we recommend to gardeners who want the high yields of a pole bean and the ease of a stringless bean. It brings a bit of California sunshine to any garden, and the fact that it’s stringless makes it a favorite for families with kids who love to help in the kitchen!"

Malibu beans thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Because they are heavy producers, ensure your trellis is sturdy. Harvesting Tip: For the best "gourmet" quality, pick the pods when they are about the thickness of a pencil. This keeps the plant producing new blossoms and ensures you get the sweetest flavor possible. But it's ok if they thicken up a little too.