20 Seeds
Cultivation: easy
Seed Saving: beginner
Water Requirements: 3
Toscanello Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Toscanello Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): this ancient variety of dwarf bean comes from Tuscany, it is similar in shape and characteristics to the Zolfino, since this one is also rustic and well suited to poor soils. It is even more tolerant to water stagnation, the main difficulty in the cultivation of Zolfino, so this one is even easier to cultivate. The seed is small (5:-8 mm) oval, and white; it is particularly appreciated for its very thin skin, which makes it digestible, and provides a floury, sweet paste.
Although it has a greater water requirement than Zolfino it can be cultivated dry in less arid areas.The Toscanello bean is one of those varieties at risk of disappearance that is why we are interested on its saving, cultivation, and distribution.
- Very low: no need for irrigation
- Low: also suitable for hot and arid areas, irrigate only in case of prolonged drought
- Reduced: this variety is amongst the leas demanding of its species, hence it is highly suitable for areas with sporadic rainfall, to be irrigated only in case of prolonged droughts
- Tolerant to water stress: it needs moderate irrigation, suitable for gardens with low water consumption.
We are currently creating a guide for this kind of cultivation, unfortunately, until the guide is published, this is only an overall indication that we can provide without causing confusion about the process. Dry farming, in fact, requires cultivation techniques suitable for the specific pedoclimate and substrate. All of the varieties included in this category have been acclimatized in Italy.