Wild Bean Seeds-The Thicket Bean

The Thicket Bean-The Perennial Wild Bean

sold out Related to the lima bean, thicket bean seeds are hard to find. This is partly to blame for the exploding nature of the seed pods during harvest as well as lack of interest in the gardening community.  I grew a population of thicket beans in southwestern Michigan over the course of a decade. Each year I learned a little bit more about this unique bean including its growing habits, harvesting and taste testing.  In 2017 I harvested 2 ounces of dry seeds from my plantings. In 2018 I harvested  1 lb. 10 ounces. In 2020 I hit a record of 4 lbs.. It turns out that once established the thicket bean produces copious amounts of beans. I also discovered that thicket bean will fruit in one year from seed. So it is quite a precocious little bean with a massive root and durable nature. 

This strain I feel is an earlier form and has fully ripened in southwestern Michigan making it one of the most northern forms under cultivation. Certainly others could grow it in northern zones but wild beans need a longer season to fully ripen. For me that means the pods turn brown starting at the end of September and continue for up to a month prior to harvest in mid to late October. It is a late bean but we also have it located in an area that doesn't allow all day sun. 

On its hybridization: it is possible but why would you do that.? My thought is if you create another crop, then what are the benefits of the new hybrid over the older 'unimproved species crop'?  With thicket beans the small size is preferable in cooking and if the yields are high then what is to improve?  Well there are several reasons to hybridize it and improve it without hybridization as well. I like the idea of a lima bean cross with it and it appears it is working at my farm to some extent. However at this time, I am not sure of the outcome. But I have seen what would be considered dwarf or bushy type forms of the thicket bean and likely this would be a good start on a more bush type perennial bean which is really the only way to introduce this plant. Having a larger bean would be good, but the flavor of the small bean is very good and I would hate to see that diminished in breeding. This seems to happen in a lot of vegetables and fruits. 

Here is how to germinate the seeds:  Wild beans have a hard seed coat. If you plant them as they are, roughly 1/2 to 2/3 will germinate the first year.  To increase the germination rate, soften the seed coat by using a fine grit sandpaper and gently rub it on the seed. This will scar the seed and remove some of the shine. This will then make them imbibe water easily and then sprout. You can then plant directly outside under 1/2 inch of soil. The seeds throw a taproot first and then the top will come up slowly over the course of a month. Or you can soak your seed or put in a damp paper towel until sprouting begins and then plant.  Roots can go to 18 inches deep in one year and form a carrot type root.  Pretty much grow like any other bean. Potted plants work fine, but plant them in the ground before winter as they do not tolerate above ground winter conditions in pots. 

Diseases of thicket bean include leaf rust which will defoliate and weaken the plant. Keep in check with biological insecticide Serenade which prevents its spread. This has worked well for me. 

9000 Seeds Per Pound with this seed strain.  2250 seeds per 4 ounces.  Currently harvesting on 10-19-22. Will take roughly 2-4 weeks to dry down the seeds and process fully.