Organic dwarf bean 'Iroquois Corn Bread'
Phaseolus vulgaris.
Product code : GAIAS-0224
Organic 'Iroquois Corn Bread' dwarf bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) from the seed company Gaia, a heritage Tuscarora bean variety specially preserved for bean bread
The 'Iroquois Corn Bread' bean is a heritage variety deeply connected to the culinary and cultural history of the Tuscarora Nation . Passed down to Elder Norton Rickard when he was a teenager, these beans came from an elderly Tuscarora woman who had insisted they be cultivated and never allowed to perish . Traditionally used for bean bread —a dish where cornmeal and beans are boiled together—they produce large, plump, oblong beans , perfect for hearty meals. The hardy, undemanding plants provide an abundant harvest of beautiful dried beans, also delicious as a substitute for kidney beans.
Companion plants : Corn, Carrot, Cabbage, Cucumber, Peas, Radish, Potato, Squash, Nasturtium, Rosemary
Nefarious plants : Alliums, Beetroot
Spread/Habit : Dwarf, bushy, very robust
Plant height : 45 to 60 cm
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Tuscarora heritage variety, large oblong beans, ideal for bean bread, very productive and resilient
Leaf color : Medium green
Texture/flavor : Large, soft, mealy grains, excellent for stews
Cold tolerance : Not frost tolerant
Farming method
Soak the seeds for a maximum of 8 hours in lukewarm water (longer soaking risks death). Sow directly outdoors after the last frost , at a depth of 2.5–5 cm .
Space the plants 7 to 10 cm apart, with 45 to 60 cm between rows. Germination takes 8 to 10 days at 21 to 31 °C (optimum 26 °C).
Grow in full sun (level 3) and water moderately (level 2). For a continuous harvest, sow every 3 weeks .
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the pods are completely dry , with hard, mature seeds. Ensure good air circulation around the plants to prevent mold.
Store only dried beans , in a cool, dry and airtight place.
Usage ideas
• In Tuscarora bean bread (bean and corn flour mixture)
• In stews where their plump texture excels
• In thick soups and traditional stews
• In hearty bean salads
• As a substitute for kidney beans in chili or cassoulet
The 'Iroquois Corn Bread' bean is a true Indigenous treasure , carefully preserved through generations. Hardy, productive, and steeped in history, it deserves a place of honor in any heritage vegetable garden.
Practical guide
How to use it
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
01 Comment conserver les semences de Haricot nain Iroquois Corn Bread avant le semis?
02 Comment semer Haricot nain Iroquois Corn Bread?
03 Quelles conditions favorisent la germination de Haricot nain Iroquois Corn Bread?
04 Où installer Haricot nain Iroquois Corn Bread au jardin?
05 Quand et comment récolter Haricot nain Iroquois Corn Bread?
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