Wild Goose Pole Bean, Heirloom, Rhode Island

Wild Goose Pole Bean: A Triple-Purpose Rhode Island Legacy Experience a true multi-generational heirloom with the Wild Goose Pole Bean. At Firefly Farm & Mercantile, we are honored to offer varieties with a verified lineage. This exceptional bean is a "triple-threat" in the garden, functioning beautifully as a fresh snap bean, a tender shelling bean, or a rich dry soup bean. 📜 The Lillibridge Heritage While many beans carry the "Wild Goose" name, this specific strain comes with an impeccable historical record, preserved for decades in the coastal soil of New England. A Lifetime of Stewardship: This variety was donated to the Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) by the late Henry Lillibridge (RI LI H) of Rhode Island. The 60-Year Tradition: At the time he first shared the variety in the 1988 SSE Yearbook, Lillibridge reported that he had been growing and maintaining this specific line for more than 60 years. This traces the bean's continuous cultivation back to at least the 1920s. Documented Accession: To ensure its survival for future generations, it is officially recorded under SSE Accession # 105038. It stands as a testament to the dedicated home gardeners of Rhode Island who kept such versatile genetics alive. 🎨 Visual & Culinary Versatility The Wild Goose is highly prized for its flexibility in the kitchen. No matter when you harvest, it offers a gourmet experience. The Seeds: The mature seeds are strikingly beautiful—a creamy beige (buff) background decorated with bold, irregular black splotches and markings. Snap Stage: Harvest the long, flat green pods early for a classic "old-fashioned" snap bean flavor. They are meaty, tender, and lack the fibrous texture of modern commercial beans. Shelling Stage: As the seeds begin to swell but before they harden, they can be used as "shellies." In this stage, they cook quickly and have a buttery, mild flavor. Dry Stage: When fully matured and dried, the beans develop a rich, nutty profile. They hold their shape well in slow-cooked stews and are excellent for traditional baked bean recipes. 🌿 Garden Growth Profile This is a vigorous, indeterminate climber that rewards the gardener with a long season of production. Feature Details Type Pole Bean (Snap, Shell, or Dry) Origin Rhode Island, USA (via Henry Lillibridge) SSE Accession # 105038 Maturity 75 days (Snap) / 95 days (Dry) Seed Aesthetics Creamy Beige with Black Splotches Growth Habit High-climbing, productive vines (7–9 ft) ✨ Why We Love It at Firefly Farm "The Wild Goose is the ultimate 'homesteaders bean.' We love it because it represents a single gardener's 60-year commitment to quality. Whether you are eating them fresh off the vine in July or out of a soup pot in January, you are tasting a piece of Rhode Island history that Henry Lillibridge hand-selected for over half a century." 👨🌾 Harvesting for Success Because this variety is triple-purpose, we recommend "staggered harvesting." Pick the lower pods early as snap beans to encourage the plant to continue flowering. As the season winds down, allow the upper pods to fill out and dry on the vine to reveal the stunning black and beige seeds for your winter pantry. Grow a 60-year tradition. Order Wild Goose Pole Bean seeds today from Firefly Farm & Mercantile! 🌻