Volga German Siberian Pole Bean, Russian Heirloom

The story of this bean spans over 250 years of European and American history:

• The Invitation (18th Century): In the 1760s, Empress Catherine the Great invited German Mennonites to settle the newly conquered territories of Southern Russia and Ukraine. Seeking to flee compulsory military service under the Prussian government, these pacifist farmers brought their agricultural expertise—and this heirloom bean—to the Volga River region.
• The Siberian Exile: In the early 20th century, following the rise of the USSR, many Volga Germans were forcibly deported to the harsh landscapes of Siberia. This bean went with them, adapting to the shorter, cooler seasons of the north, which solidified its legendary cold tolerance.
• The Kansas Connection: While many were exiled, other families immigrated to Kansas, where they famously revolutionized the American wheat industry. They carried this bean in their pockets and linings, ensuring that this piece of their homeland would flourish in the American Great Plains.

This is a premier Horticultural-style bean, prized for its artistic appearance and substantial nutritional value.

• The Seeds: The beans are large and stunning, featuring intricate horticultural patterns (splashes and swirls of deep maroon or reddish-brown over a creamy base).
• The Pods: Sturdy 4.5 to 5-inch pods grow in abundance, with each pod containing up to 7 seeds.
• Culinary Use: This variety is a specialist for fresh shelling or dry use.
  • Fresh Shelling: Harvest when the pods are leathery to experience a buttery, rich "shelly" bean.
  • Dry Bean: When fully dried, it possesses a dense, creamy texture that is perfect for hearty winter stews and traditional European bean dishes.

Given its history in Siberia and the Russian steppes, this variety is noted for its ability to handle temperature fluctuations and cooler weather better than many tropical bean varieties.

"The Volga German Siberian bean is a survivor. It has been selected for over two centuries to produce in some of the most challenging environments on earth. For the gardener, it offers a reliable, high-protein harvest and a direct connection to the families who built the agricultural backbone of the American Midwest."

This is a long-season bean (108 days), so it is best started as soon as the soil warms in the spring to ensure a full dry harvest before the autumn rains. Because the vines are vigorous and the pods are heavy, provide a very sturdy trellis or A-frame. To save seeds, allow the pods to dry completely on the vine until they feel like parchment.