Fabacées • Phaseolus vulgaris var. nana

Pencil Pod Black dwarf bean - Organic

"A radiant elegance with deep roots"

~~$4.49~~ $2.00

Number of seeds 50 seeds

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Originating from the work of the famous American breeder Calvin Keeney in 1900, Pencil Pod Black is an iconic heritage dwarf bean from the early 20th century. A true gem of North American vegetable gardens, it is distinguished by its thin, glossy yellow pods , resembling fine wax pencils, containing shiny black beans , both visually striking and tasty.

This dwarf bean grows into a compact bush (approximately 35 cm tall), ideal for small spaces or intensive cultivation in raised beds. It offers discreet but abundant flowering, followed by regular and generous harvests , especially if the pods are picked young, every two to three days.

Hardy, productive, and stringless , it represents one of the great classic wax beans, valued in seed catalogs for over a century. It enriches the soil through its ability to fix nitrogen and attracts a good diversity of beneficial garden insects.

Growing climate: Temperate to cool climate
Sowing difficulty level: Easy
Care required: Opportunities for regular monitoring

Note: Sensitive to excessive moisture at the roots, avoid overly heavy soils.

Eaten fresh as a string bean, Pencil Pod Black is prized for its tender flesh and delicate flavor. Ideal sautéed, blanched, or lightly crisp in salads, it can also be pickled, frozen, or canned. When harvested at maturity, its black bean can be used as a dried legume, although the variety is primarily valued for fresh consumption.

Its long history in North American catalogues and its creation by Keeney, a major figure in American horticulture, make this variety a true living witness to seed heritage.