Organic climbing bean 'Cherokee Trail of Tears'
Organic 'Cherokee Trail of Tears' climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) from the seed company Gaia, an ancestral bean steeped in history and resilience
The 'Cherokee Trail of Tears' bean is an heirloom and deeply symbolic variety, brought from Tennessee by the Cherokee people during their forced removal to Oklahoma in 1839 , during the tragic "Trail of Tears." Despite this painful history, this climbing bean has been preserved as a symbol of resilience , memory , and cultural survival .
It produces slender pods yielding 8 to 9 glossy black beans , excellent as young green beans, or dried for soups and stews. Vigorous, productive, and valuable for its heritage, it remains one of the most respected and cultivated climbing beans in North America.
Companion plants : Corn, Carrot, Cabbage, Cucumber, Peas, Radish, Potato, Squash, Nasturtium, Rosemary
Nefarious plants : Alliums, Beetroot
Spread/Habit : Climbing, vigorous
Plant height : 180 to 240 cm
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Cherokee heirloom variety, lean black beans, 8–9 seeds per pod, highly heritage and symbolic
Leaf color : Medium green
Texture/flavor : Tender black bean, excellent cooking quality
Cold tolerance : Not frost tolerant
Farming method
To improve germination, soak the seeds for a maximum of 8 hours in lukewarm water (longer soaking will result in death). Sow directly after the last frost , at a depth of 2.5–5 cm .
Space the plants 7 to 10 cm apart, with 30 cm between rows. Germination takes 8 to 10 days at 21 and 31 °C (optimum 26 °C).
Plant in full sun (level 3), with moderate watering (level 2). Provide a sturdy trellis , as the vines climb vigorously. To extend the harvest, sow every 3 weeks .
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the pods and seeds are fully mature and dry for use in dried products. Leave sufficient space around the plants to ensure good air circulation .
Store only dry seeds , in an airtight container, away from moisture.
Usage ideas
• As dried beans for soups, stews, and casseroles
• Young, in a fine and tasty green bean
• In traditional Cherokee cuisine or modern fusion
• As a mixture of decorative dried beans
• In an educational garden focusing on traditional indigenous crops
The 'Cherokee Trail of Tears' bean is more than just a vegetable: it's a living legacy , cultivated to honor the memory of a people and celebrate human resilience. An essential variety for gardeners who appreciate history, symbolism, and inherited biodiversity.
