Heirloom

Jacob's Cattle Pole Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Jacob's Cattle'

A historic New England heirloom dating back to the 1800s, named for its resemblance to the speckled cattle mentioned in the Biblical story of Jacob. This vigorous pole variety produces beautiful white beans with distinctive maroon splotches and offers exceptional flavor and protein content. The beans have been a staple in Maine cuisine for generations and are prized for their ability to hold their shape and absorb flavors in traditional bean dishes.

Harvest

90-100d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Jacob's Cattle Pole Bean in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 bean →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Jacob's Cattle Pole Bean · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Spacing6 inches

SoilWell-drained fertile soil with good organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, avoid waterlogged soil

SeasonWarm season

FlavorRich, meaty flavor with excellent texture that holds shape when cooked

ColorWhite with maroon speckles and patches

SizeMedium kidney-shaped, 0.6 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	October – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	September – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	September – October
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	September – October
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	August – October
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	August – September
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	July – August
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	June – August

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Rattlesnake'Pole Snap Bean, 'Rattlesnake'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The boat-shaped seed pods are bilaterally symmetrical and can be green, yellow, white, or purple at maturity. There is a wide variety of color and shape choices among cultivars.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Purple/Lavender, White. Type: Legume. Length: > 3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible, Good Dried

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh shell beans keep 3-5 days refrigerated in perforated bags, maintaining their creamy texture and rich flavor. For optimal quality, shell beans just before cooking rather than storing them already shelled.

For dried beans, allow pods to dry completely on the vine if weather permits, then shell and spread beans on screens for additional drying until they pass the 'bite test'—properly dried beans are too hard to dent with your teeth. Store dried beans in airtight containers in a cool, dark place where they'll keep 2-3 years while maintaining their ability to absorb flavors in traditional dishes.

Freeze fresh shell beans by blanching for 3 minutes, cooling in ice water, then packaging in freezer bags for up to 8 months. You can also pressure-can these beans following USDA guidelines for low-acid foods. The sturdy texture of Jacob's Cattle beans makes them excellent candidates for home canning, as they hold their shape beautifully in preserved form.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Corn

Provides natural trellis support for climbing beans, classic Three Sisters companion

Squash

Ground cover that suppresses weeds and retains soil moisture, completes Three Sisters planting

Marigolds

Repels Mexican bean beetles, aphids, and other bean pests with strong scent

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters bean pests

Carrots

Beans fix nitrogen in soil that carrots utilize, carrots don't compete for space

Radishes

Quick-growing crop that loosens soil and can be harvested before beans need full space

Lettuce

Benefits from nitrogen fixed by beans, provides living mulch at base of plants

Rosemary

Repels Mexican bean beetles and other pests with aromatic oils

Keep Apart

Onions

Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation by root bacteria

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of beans and most other garden plants

Sunflowers

Releases allelopathic compounds that can stunt bean growth and development

Nutrition Facts

Protein

1.97g(4%)

Fiber

3.01g(11%)

Carbs

7.41g(3%)

Fat

0.275g(0%)

Vitamin K

43.9mcg(37%)

Iron

0.652mg(4%)

Calcium

40mg(3%)

Potassium

290mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good cold tolerance and general disease resistance

Common Pests

Bean beetle, seed corn maggot, bean leaf beetle

Diseases

Anthracnose, bacterial blight, bean common mosaic virus

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Jacob's Cattle beans take to grow?▼

Jacob's Cattle beans require 90-100 days from planting to harvest for dried beans. You can harvest them earlier at 70-80 days as fresh shell beans when pods are plump but still green. This longer growing season compared to bush beans is typical for pole varieties but results in higher total yields.

Can you grow Jacob's Cattle beans in containers?▼

Yes, but use very large containers (at least 20-30 gallons) with sturdy 6-8 foot supports. The vigorous vines need substantial root space and strong structures. Smaller containers restrict growth and reduce yields significantly. Dwarf bush bean varieties are better suited for typical container gardening.

What do Jacob's Cattle beans taste like?▼

Jacob's Cattle beans have a rich, meaty flavor with a creamy, substantial texture. They're less starchy than navy beans but heartier than pintos, with an excellent ability to absorb flavors while maintaining their shape. The taste is mild enough for varied seasonings yet distinctive enough to stand alone.

When should I plant Jacob's Cattle pole beans?▼

Plant after soil temperature reaches 60°F and all frost danger passes—typically late May in zones 5-6 or early May in zones 7-8. Cold soil causes poor germination and increases disease risk. In northern climates, start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks early if your growing season is shorter than 100 days.

Are Jacob's Cattle beans good for beginners?▼

Yes, they're relatively easy to grow with good disease resistance and forgiving nature. The main challenges are providing adequate support structures and waiting for the longer harvest time. Beginners should focus on proper trellising and avoiding overwatering to prevent most common problems.

Jacob's Cattle vs Navy beans - what's the difference?▼

Jacob's Cattle beans are larger with distinctive maroon markings and superior flavor complexity compared to plain white navy beans. They hold their shape better in cooking and have a meatier texture. Navy beans cook faster and are milder, while Jacob's Cattle beans are prized for gourmet applications and traditional recipes.