Viewing comments posted by vbprog

There is an article on this plant in the Jan/Feb 2015 issue of Horticulture magazine. The author describes it as a robust grower, cold tolerant and possessing "ridiculously high production".

The flavor is more Cucumber than Melon with a peppy citrus kick.

I see that this plant hasn't been adopted widely yet by ATP gardeners. The article intrigued me and I may look for some seeds to try this summer.

Rattlesnake is an open pollinated bean. You can save some seeds at the end of the season and grow them again next year. I've been growing this bean for over 10 years now. Let a couple of dozen pods get really big on the vine, dry them out, extract the beans, and store them for next season.

And, wow, does this produce! Plus, the more you pick, the more you get.

The beans have a purple striping on them for great garden interest that disappears when cooked. We are freezing a bunch every year, giving a ton away, letting neighbors pick some, and overall really enjoying this variety.

Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. It will tolerate drought. Excellent in containers and hanging baskets. In all but mild-winter climates (plants are hardy to Zone 8), lift plants before frost and overwinter in pots on a sunny windowsill. Prune back hard in the spring. Set back outdoors when nighttime temperatures remain consistently above 55°F.