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Beans · Phaseolus vulgaris 'Rattlesnake'

Rattlesnake Pole Bean

Rattlesnake Pole Bean is a heirloom bean. Germination takes 8-12 days and fruit ripens from about day 70-75. Skin runs to light green with distinctive purple streaks and mottling. Water need is 1-1.5 inches per week, drought tolerant once established. Suits zones 2-11.

Beans
70-75days to harvest
8-12days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Moderatedifficulty
Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow 2-3 weeks after last frost. Plant 1-2 inches deep. Provide strong 8+ foot supports.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water
1-1.5 inches per week, drought tolerant once established
Soil
Well-drained soil, tolerates poor soils better than most beans
Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Spacing
6-8 inches
Season
Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Light green with distinctive purple streaks and mottling
Size
6-8 inches long
Shape
Slightly curved, flat romano-type pods
Flavour
Rich, full-bodied bean flavor with excellent texture

In the kitchen

Traditional Southern cooking, fresh eating, preserving, excellent for succotash

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Bean beetles, stink bugs, spider mites, aphids
Diseases
Bacterial blight, rust, anthracnose, mosaic virus
Resistance
Good heat tolerance, moderate disease resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
2——June – AugustSeptember
3——June – JulySeptember – October
4——June – JulySeptember – October
5——May – JuneAugust – October
6——May – JuneAugust – September
7——April – JuneJuly – September
8——April – MayJuly – August
9——March – AprilJune – July
10——February – AprilMay – July
11——January – MarchApril – June
12——January – MarchApril – June
13——January – MarchApril – June

Companion planting

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

CornProvides natural pole support for climbing beans, classic Three Sisters companion
SquashLarge leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, completes Three Sisters trio
MarigoldRepels Mexican bean beetles and other harmful insects
NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
CarrotsBeans fix nitrogen that carrots utilize, carrots don't compete for space
LettuceBenefits from bean's nitrogen fixation and shade, efficient space usage
RadishesQuick growing, loosens soil for bean roots, harvested before beans mature
BasilRepels aphids and bean beetles, may enhance bean flavor

Avoid

OnionsMay inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root compounds
GarlicCan stunt bean growth and interfere with beneficial soil bacteria
FennelAllelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth

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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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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