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Beans · Phaseolus vulgaris 'Jacob's Cattle'

Jacob's Cattle Bush Bean

Jacob's Cattle Bush Bean is a kidney-shaped with rounded ends bean with fruit around Medium-large, kidney bean sized. Ready from roughly day 85-95. Germination takes 7-14 days. Space 4-6 inches apart at pH 6.0-7.0. Full sun (6+ hours). It will crop in a container.

Beans
85-95days to harvest
7-14days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow after last frost when soil temperature is at least 60°F. Plant 1-2 inches deep.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water
1 inch per week, reduce as pods begin to dry
Soil
Well-drained fertile soil, tolerates poor soils once established
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
4-6 inches
Season
Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
White with distinctive maroon speckles and patches
Size
Medium-large, kidney bean sized
Shape
Kidney-shaped with rounded ends
Flavour
Rich, nutty, slightly sweet with creamy texture when cooked

In the kitchen

Baked beans, soups, stews, chili, Boston baked beans, winter storage

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Mexican bean beetle, bean leaf beetle, aphids
Diseases
Anthracnose, bacterial blight, rust
Resistance
Good tolerance to common bean diseases

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
2——June – AugustOctober – September
3——June – JulyOctober
4——June – JulySeptember – October
5——May – JuneSeptember – October
6——May – JuneSeptember – October
7——April – JuneAugust – October
8——April – MayAugust – September
9——March – AprilJuly – August
10——February – AprilJune – August
11——January – MarchMay – July
12——January – MarchMay – July
13——January – MarchMay – July

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

MarigoldRepels Mexican bean beetles and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels bean beetles
Summer SavoryImproves bean flavor and growth while deterring bean beetles
CarrotsDeep roots don't compete with shallow bean roots, beans provide nitrogen for carrots
CornProvides natural support structure, beans fix nitrogen that corn can utilize
CatnipRepels aphids, ants, and flea beetles that commonly attack beans
RadishesBreak up compacted soil, mature quickly before beans need full space
RosemaryRepels bean beetles and carrot flies, aromatic oils deter various pests

Avoid

OnionsCan inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root exudates
SunflowersAllelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth
FennelInhibits growth of most garden plants including beans through allelopathy

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Protein (g)
1.97
Fat (g)
0.275
Carbohydrate (g)
7.41
Fibre (g)
3.01
Vitamin K (µg)
43.9
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.121
Calcium (mg)
40
Iron (mg)
0.652
Magnesium (mg)
28.2
Phosphorus (mg)
41.2
Potassium (mg)
290
Zinc (mg)
0.35
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Where to buy seed and equipment

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the beans growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

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