A theme for my life this year is increasing my ability to be self-sufficient. To that end, I want to start growing some of our food beyond a few tomato and pepper plants in the summer, combined with long term storage.
For next year I want to try a few things… beans, wheat, and potatoes.
My question today is about beans: anybody real knowledgeable in their production? By bean I specifically mean dry beans for both immediate consumption and also storage. We use roughly a pound of dry beans every 7-10 days, usually black or pinto, but also sometimes great northern or navy beans. I think I’d like to grow 2 varieties, so let’s say a pinto and a black, and I’d like to walk away with at least a years worth… call it a combined 50 pounds. Seem reasonable?
I did a bit of searching it looks like around 400 linear feet of beans should get me in the neighborhood, right? Of course that varies by specific plant.
Also, I’d like to do heirloom beans, even if that means I can’t get traditional black or pinto. Any guidance on this?
Posts: 6543 | Location: Modesto, CA | Registered: January 27, 2005
