Velvet Bean (Velour)

Those large beans, marbled with red and brown tones, were grown by most Iroquoian communities, also known as Haudenosaunee. They were given to us by the Mohawks. Any First Nation individual is welcome to order some for free. Package: 25 seeds

The Ferland Family bean is a yellow, flat, climbing heirloom bean, saved by René Paquet of Seeds of Diversity. Originating from Saints-Anges, they were handed to Mr. Gérard Parent in 2001 by Mrs. Carmelle Boily Ferland (1916-2015), who received them from her parents, Cleophas Boily et Demerise Turmel. According to Mrs. Paquet, who then received them from Mrs. Parent, they date back to before 1900. The pods can be harvested fresh, even when pretty ripe, or as dry beans. For more informations, visit (in French): https://potagersdantan.com/2016/05/13/le-haricot-ferland/

Shrubby dwarf variety that grows rosy-lilac flowers and light green pods. Can be eaten as green or dry beans. This variety was gifted to us by Mr. René Paquet. He received it from Gérard Parent, from Saint-Joseph-de Beauce, who himself got it from Gabrielle Roy, from Saint-Jules. It's at the turn of the century, more precisely in 1914, that the Boucher family started growing them. Where they got it from, we might never know! Package: 20 seeds

Hardy climbing bean, can reach up to 12 foot in height. Tender green pods, sweet and somewhat flat beans. High-yielding. Usually grown for its beige, chocolaty-brown striped beans, but can also be eaten as green beans. Climbs so high that our tutors couldn't support it and got knocked down by the weight at the end of the season. Originally grown by the Kahnawake Iroquoian First Nations (Quebec). One of the most beautiful beans we grow. Package: 30 seeds

This very ancient variety was supposedly brought to the U.S. on the Mayflower boat in 1620. The boat was carrying English religious dissidents, the Pilgrim fathers, and other European people seeking a land where they could fully enjoy religious freedom. This variety was widely grown in the Carolinas region. Despite this nice story, and considering most beans are originally from America, it is more likely that the colonizers 'borrowed' this variety from First Nations and named it after their boat. Perhaps. Their pods are small, and contain squarish beans, sprinkled with pink and white marks. Can be eaten as green beans when still young, or as dry beans when they reach maturity after 85 days. Mayflower beans are part of the SlowFood USA's Ark of Taste. Package: 30 seeds

High-yielding bush bean producing shelling beans of a beautiful matte white color. They were given to us by an Iroquoian collector, but we were not able to retrieve its origin. The variety is mentioned in an old New York catalog, but it is described as a climbing variety. We do no have further informations. A rarity!