Bean, Pole Dry, 'Borlotto Gaston'

Borlotto, or cranberry beans (as they are known in the US) are a staple of northern Italian cuisine, and none is prized more than the famed Borlotto Lamon of the Veneto. For years Anthony and Carol Boutard maintained the variety at Ayers Creek Farm in Gaston, Oregon from its original Italian stock with the goal of slowly adapt a Pacific Northwest strain. They renamed it to both reflect its new home and give a nod to its roots. In his book, Beautiful Corn, Anthony describes the Gaston (Lamon): "There are several reasons why this variety is not more available commercially. Pole beans cost more to grow, and the Lamon must be handpicked and has just three or four (HUGE!) beans per pod compared to the usual five to seven. It also ripens late, splits in the rain,.. Mere details, considering that it is perfect, the most glorious of the cranberry beans. We cannot imagine winter without it".
If you are like me, that is a perfect invitation for the stubbornly defiant grower! These are also a delicious shelly bean that we've managed to grow with absolute success (through the dry stage) up north, so if your season starts looking like it might be shorter then you thought, simply pick, freeze and dream of delightful winter meals.
100-105 days. UO

Packet: 40 seeds