(P. vulgaris) Also known as Marafax, or Marifax, This beloved New England bean has a long but difficult-to-track history, said by some to have been introduced by the federal government to “Downeast” Maine during the Depression. Medium-sized, round, buff-brown beans are rich in flavor and very well adapted to cool climate growing. It is a classic variety for baked beans and hearty soups with a toothsome texture that retains its shape even with long slow cooking. A traditional way of cooking these in old Maine logging camps was the “Bean Hole”, a rock-lined fire pit in the ground where the bean pot was buried and slow-cooked from the heat of the stones. We first grew Marfax years ago, and are always thrilled to have it as one of our dry bean staples (we may very well eat more than we sell!). Very early, reliable, and mouthwatering with rosemary and olive oil. 85 days. UO
Packet: 1oz (~ 80 seeds)
Product Code:BEA-MX-pkt
Availability:In stock
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Direct seed after the last frost date when the soil has warmed.
Note: Beans prefer well-drained, warm soil.
PLANTING DEPTH:
1"
SPACING:
3-5" between plants with 12-24" between rows*
*Pole beans require 5+' between rows.
EMERGENCE:
5-10 days @ soil temp 65-90F
LIGHT:
Full sun to part shade
FERTILITY:
Light to Moderate. Beans can produce their own usable nitrogen from atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that colonize specialized nodules in their roots. Too much soil fertility can cause excessive vegetative growth at the expense of pod set and maturity. Beans prefer well-drained warm soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Beans prefer warm soils and may rot at lower temperatures. This is particularly true for white-seeded varieties. You love beans. Patience.
It can be quite beneficial to mix bean seeds with commercially available bacterial "inoculants" to encourage the beneficial symbiotic relationship in the growing plant's root nodules, especially if growing on ground that hasn't been planted with beans before. This can increase yields and improve plant health.
Avoid picking/weeding beans when the plants are wet. This will help prevent the spread of disease.
Provide a trellis for pole beans.
White-seeded varieties are more susceptible to rot when seeded in cool, wet, early-season conditions.
Sow Snap Beans every few weeks for continued harvests.
Harvest dry beans when the pods are brown and dry.
