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Dry bean · Heirloom-dry-bean

Jacob's Cattle beans

Bush · Fabaceae

Jacob's Cattle is a New England heirloom dry bean known for its red-and-white marbled seed coat and excellent baking quality. The variety has long roots in Northeastern and Passamaquoddy food traditions and is typically grown to full dry stage, though pods can also be used at the shell-bean stage. It suits gardeners who want a storability-focused bean with strong heirloom character.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity
80–90 days
Sun
8+ hours
full sun 8 hours
Spacing
4–6 "
Seed Start
0 weeks
before transplant
Container
Yes
3+ gallon pot
Height
1.5–2.5 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 7–10 days
Optimal Temp 75°F
Seed Depth 1"

Watering

Weekly Water 1–1.5 "
Needs Moderate
Method Drip

Soil

pH Range 6–7
Soil Type Well-drained loam that warms quickly and is not overly rich in nitrogen.

Resilience

Heat: Moderate Cold: Low Drought: Moderate

Common Problems

bean-rust
Cause: Humid foliage encourages rust and other leaf diseases.
Prevention: Rotate crops, avoid overhead irrigation, and improve airflow.
poor-pod-set
Cause: Drought or heat during bloom reduces seed fill.
Prevention: Keep water even through flowering and pod set.

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Light feeder

Harvest

For shell beans, pods are green and full; for dry beans, pods turn tan and seeds rattle.

Expected Yield 0.5–1.5 lbs/plant
Storage 240 days — Dry beans thoroughly, shell, and store airtight in a cool, dark place.

Sources

seed_catalog Thresh Seed Co. seed_catalog Victory Seeds university Utah State University Extension

Jacob's Cattle beans Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Jacob's Cattle beans vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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