Whipple Bean (Pole), Early 1900's or 1970's Oregon Heirloom, Almost Lost Forever

The Whipple Bean is a true "lost and found" heirloom. Its story began in the early 20th century with the Whipple family of Roseburg, Oregon, located in the fertile Willamette Valley. For decades, the family carefully saved and replanted these seeds, selecting for vigor, flavor, and the bean's unique striking appearance.

There is another story linking the Whipple Bean to the Deep South. Both are widely shared and we never agree what is correct. 

The history of this bean is inextricably linked to the struggle for civil rights in the 1960s. The seeds were originally a family heirloom grown in the Deep South (likely Georgia or Alabama).

The 1970s Journey to Oregon
In the early 1970s, the seeds were brought to Oregon by Dan Whipple, a dedicated civil rights activist and worker who had served in the South during the height of the movement. Dan was a close acquaintance and fellow laborer of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., working alongside him in the fight for voter registration and racial justice.

When Dan Whipple eventually moved to the Pacific Northwest—settling in the Dexter/Eugene area of Oregon—he brought these beans with him as a connection to the people and the land he had served. For decades, he carefully stewarded the variety, selecting for plants that thrived in the shorter, cooler growing seasons of the Willamette Valley. Today, the Whipple Bean stands as a symbol of the Great Migration and the enduring legacy of the activists who shaped modern America.

Historically, it was a staple of the Oregon homestead, valued for its incredible productivity in the cooler, temperate climates of the Pacific Northwest. It eventually made its way into the hands of local seed savers and the Seed Savers Exchange, saving it from obscurity. Today, it is celebrated as a premier example of "regional heritage"—a bean that represents the self-sufficiency and rich soil of the early Oregon pioneers.

• Stunning Seeds: One of the most beautiful dry beans you can grow; the seeds look like polished gems.
• Dual-Purpose: Can be harvested young as a tender, stringless green snap bean or left to dry for an world-class soup bean.
• Gourmet Flavor: When cooked, the beans hold their shape well but have a rich, savory, and exceptionally creamy interior.
• Vigorous Climber: A heavy producer that utilizes vertical space, sending out 6-to-8-foot vines loaded with clusters of pods.

1. When to Plant:
Beans are heat-lovers and are very sensitive to frost. Direct sow seeds outdoors only after the soil has warmed to at least 65°F and all danger of frost has passed.

2. Sowing the Seeds:

• Sow seeds 1 inch deep.
• Space seeds 3–4 inches apart at the base of a support.
• Note: Do not soak the seeds before planting, as this can lead to cracking and poor germination in some heirloom varieties.

3. Trellising (Required):
As a vigorous pole bean, the Whipple Bean must have support. A sturdy trellis, cattle panel, or "three-pole teepee" works best. Install the support at the time of planting to avoid disturbing the roots later.

4. Soil & Water:

• Beans do not require heavy nitrogen (they fix their own!). Use a balanced organic compost at planting.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Always water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and prevent disease.

5. Harvesting Stages:

• Snap Phase: Harvest the green pods when they are 5–6 inches long and the seeds inside are just starting to swell.
• Dry Phase: For the signature "Whipple" look, leave the pods on the vine until they turn brown, dry, and brittle. If rain is forecasted when pods are drying, pull the whole plant and hang it in a dry, airy place like a garage to finish curing.

The Whipple Bean is a showstopper in Slow-Cooked Chili, Cassoulets, or Oregon Cowboy Beans. Because the bean is so rich and creamy, it pairs perfectly with smoked meats, rosemary, and garlic.

Garden Tip: If you are growing these for the dry beans, leave them on the vine as long as possible. The longer they "cure" in the sun, the deeper and more vibrant the purple-and-cream patterns will become! 🧺🫘