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Pioneering Today-Heirloom Tarheel Green Bean and Seed Giveaway

Gardening, Raising Your Own Food, Vegetables

Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Regardless, I only link to products we use on our homestead or believe in.

To celebrate the arrival of spring, I'm going to share my favorite vegetable with you. My grandparents moved from North Carolina to Washington state in 1937. They traveled with two other families on the back of flat-bed truck they converted to a camper with bunks.

Can you imagine the cramped quarters? Packing space was limited to say the least. But my grandparents brought with them a packet of their pole green beans and a cast iron skillet. We've always referred to them as tarheel green beans.

When my husband and I were dating, he came to meet my parents for the first time. He told me he didn't care for green beans, so when my mom passed the pot of green beans, I was surprised he took a serving. After eating his beans, he helped himself to more. I leaned over and whispered, “You don't have to eat more.” I thought he just wanted to impress my parents.

He replied, “These are the best beans I've ever eaten. I don't like other green beans, but I love these.”

Tarheel Green Pole Beans

We've grown them every year since we've been married. Going on thirteen years now.

Tarheel pole beans grace many a garden in our valley. These beans can’t be bought in a store, either the seeds or the harvest. Originating from the Appalachian Mountain range,  they have a small white bean inside the pod and are lumpy. The taste is phenomenal, sweet and buttery. Add a little fat back, chunk of bacon, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better dish.

They are a heritage bean, meaning they haven’t been altered by science. Each family or hollow would have their own unique bean and would trade with other families for different varieties. These beans must be staked or you can plant them on a fence, but they need something to climb. In fact, prized beans were considered part of a girl's dowry!

Tarheel beans produce a lot per plant. They do require stringing, but the flavor is worth the extra work. I like to let some of the beans mature. I mix the shelled small white bean in with the fresh snapped green pods. They are excellent fresh, canned, or in true Tarheel fashioned, leather britches style. Beans are strung on a string and left to dry. You then soak them when ready to eat and cook as usual.

I leave one bush unpicked. Let the beans hang on the vine until they have turned almost white and have started to shrivel. Then shell the beans, allow them to dry, and store in a cool dry place for next years seed. We tried putting some in the freezer this year and they came up fine, but my dad leaves them in a five gallon bucket in their laundry room with no problems.

***Contest Closed***

So, here's where it get's good. One lucky winner will receive a packet of my seeds. Here are the rules for entering. Winner will be announced here on Tuesday April 17, 2012. Good luck! Remember, you need to sign up via email in addition to leaving a comment. Thanks!

1. Leave a comment with your email address below.

2. Sign up via email to receive new blog posts. Just click on the sign me up button on the right hand side of the page.

3. Tweet or share this link of Facebook.

To get your name in the drawing a second time follow me on Twitter and come hang out with me on my author Facebook page. If you're a Pinterest fan I'd love to swap boards with you.

You know mine, what's your favorite family heirloom? It can be an item, memory, or tradition.

To read more about legacy's we leave, here's my post on leaving a spiritual legacy for your children.

This post is featured on

The Prairie Homesteaders Blog Hop

Far Above Rubies: Domestically Divine Tuesdays

Melissa Norris

Melissa K. Norris inspires people's faith and pioneer roots with her books, podcast, and blog. Melissa lives with her husband and two children in their own little house in the big woods in the foothills of the North Cascade Mountains. When she's not wrangling chickens and cattle, you can find her stuffing Mason jars with homegrown food and playing with flour and sugar in the kitchen.

Read more about Melissa

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Comments:

  1. Jessica Sterling Moore

    April 2, 2012 at 3:09 am

    Ditto, my fav is the tarheel been also. My family always asks me to bring them to family functions. Don’t enter me to win any, i have tons.

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      April 2, 2012 at 3:41 am

      I won’t enter you. 🙂 Did you have them before you moved to this area? Curious as to what regions the beans have traveled.

      Reply
      • Tammy Norton

        June 24, 2021 at 12:49 am

        Melissa as a former Tar heeler . born there i went and have been buying Tar heel beens for about 7 yrs now. Since great grams passed away. Im in oregon

        Reply
      • Dianna Belle

        10 months ago

        Hey Melissa – I know that this contest was over a long time ago, but I was wondering A) If these bean will grow in AZ? and B) How would I buy some to start trying to grow them?
        If this gets to you…
        Thanks-
        Dianna Belle

        Reply
  2. Wendy Clark

    April 2, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Please enter me!
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com

    Reply
  3. heatherdaygilbert

    10 years ago

    My family uses the flat Italian beans, cooked with oil and salt! But I am going to like your FB page and I need to find you on Pinterest (I just got on there–under Heather Day Gilbert), just b/c I love your blog! You don’t have to enter me, though!

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Heather, of course you are entered! I’ll go look you up on Pinterest too. I haven’t used Italian green beans much, because of my love affair with my Tarheel beans, but a neighbor gave me some he’d grown and I used them in a chicken soup. They were good.

      Reply
  4. Cheryl

    10 years ago

    I’ve never heard of this bean, what fun! proverbslady at gmail.com

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Hi, Cheryl. I love your email handle. I was just reading in Proverbs last night. I’ll enter you in the drawing.

      Reply
  5. Sue D

    10 years ago

    Would love to try these beans! I signed up for your emails but am not on Facebook or Twitter.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Hi, Sue. No problem if you’re not on FB or Twitter. I’ve got your entry down. Do you do a large garden?

      Reply
      • Sue D

        10 years ago

        We have a pretty big garden and are becoming more committed to growing as much of our food as possible. I need to get better at saving seeds. We have been trying to buy heirloom seeds this year.

        Reply
  6. ginger

    10 years ago

    Beans, beans, beans – green beans are a staple around here, but I’ve never heard of this kind. I would love to have some seeds.

    ginger(dot)solomon(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Ginger, beans are the one vegetable my kids never complain about eating. Partly because they help plant, harvest and can them. At this age, they think it’s fun. I’ve got you entered.

      Reply
  7. Gail

    10 years ago

    I always had a garden with my dad when I was young & we always grew green beans (snap beans here in south Louisiana). My husband and I had our first garden last year & just turned up the ground for an even bigger one this year. I’m not sure if your beans would grow down here but I’d love to be entered, if you think they could stand the heat. Thanks! Gail piscesgirl223 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Hi, Gail. I don’t really know how well they stand heat, but I know parts of North Carolina seem to get pretty hot. We had an unsually hot two week spell of 100 degree weather here two summers ago and they came through fine. I’ve got you entered. I’m like you, the more I garden, the more things I want to try. I added some raised beds last year for garlic.

      Reply
      • Gail

        10 years ago

        I tried garlic last year but that didn’t go so well. Maybe because they should have been raised?? We had great success with watermelons, though, hence the need for a gigantic garden this year. I think they were vying for world domination! 🙂

        Reply
      • Melissa K. Norris

        10 years ago

        My neighbor does garlic in the ground, I think the trick is it needs to be well draining soil. We cover ours with straw, but if it’s too thick, the bulbs will rot. Did you buy the bulbs from a garden store? Some of the grocery store bulbs are sprayed so they won’t sprout.

        Reply
  8. Loree Huebner

    10 years ago

    What an awesome family heirloom to have!

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Thanks, Loree. I love the history behind them as much as the great flavor. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Jess @ Blog Schmog

    10 years ago

    Green beans are my favorite!! Sign me up girl. [email protected]

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Thanks for all your entries! You’ll love these if you’re already a green bean girl.

      Reply
  10. Jess @ Blog Schmog

    10 years ago

    I’m signed up for new posts via email. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Jess @ Blog Schmog

    10 years ago

    I’m a Facebook fan, Twitter peep, and Pinterest follower. Yay!

    Reply
  12. Jess @ Blog Schmog

    10 years ago

    Tweeted!

    Reply
  13. Teresa Messick

    April 3, 2012 at 1:40 am

    Just followed your blog via email! I love your cover photo–reminds me of several old farming structures in my hometown. How wonderful that you have such a wonderful family heirloom to pass down. I remember my great-grandmother had would save seeds from one year to the next…I so wish I had cared back then enough to want some of those seeds! I am blessed to have a small patch of her thrift, but that won’t feed us! Thanks for the opportunity to experience a family heirloom!

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      April 3, 2012 at 2:33 am

      Thanks, Teresa. I’ve got you entered. The cover photo is of my dad’s barn, just up the road from us. We started our small herd of cattle from his white-faces.

      There’s so much now that I’ve matured a bit, that I wish I would have asked or learned from my grandmother before she passed away. Last week, I took my video camera and recorded my daughter (2yrs old) and father (75yrs old) bottle feeding two of his orphan calves. I got him talking about life when he was a boy and am so thankful I’ll have it on record. I’m glad you have some of your grandmother’s seeds. What vegetables do you grow?

      Reply
  14. Becky

    10 years ago

    I stopped by after your sweet comment on my blog. And now I’m excited to follow you! I am planning to plant my first garden this year, so the beans would be a lovely addition!!! Thanks!

    Oh, and I’m at ohappydaye at gmail.com. 🙂

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Thanks, Becky! I love making new friends. You’ll have so much fun with your garden. My kids, even my 2 year old love helping and it’s a great family activity. They especially like to eat what they help plant.

      Reply
  15. Johnna

    10 years ago

    I didn’t know that about the bean dowry. That’s very interesting, frugal and sensible. My how things have changed. I am trying an all heirloom garden this year and love pole beans the best. I live in North Carolina so an heirloom that originated from here would be awesome.
    Sign me up!
    [email protected]

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Yes, some things have changed, Johnna. I think seed to keep yourself fed is much more important than thousands of dollars spent on one day. 🙂 Obviously, pole beans are my favorite too. We actually strung chicken wire between two posts and let the beans crawl up them this year. It worked really well. I’ve got you entered. My goal is an entire heirloom garden, too.

      Reply
  16. Sarah Reckards

    10 years ago

    I love so many heirlooms, it’s hard to pick just one! I guess it would have to be rainbow chard, I could eat the stuff every single day! I would love to try your beans…sign me up!
    Sarah
    [email protected]

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Hi, Sarah. I haven’t grown or cooked with chard. How do you prepare yours? I’ve got you signed up. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Kerri

    10 years ago

    oh, We are going to be starting our garden VERY SOON. So here’s my E.Mail
    kerri dot junk at yahoo dot com
    Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

    -Kerri P.

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Hello, Kerri, I’ve got your name entered multiple times for the drawing. Thanks! We usually have to wait until the end of May, right before Memorial weekend to put all our seeds in the ground. I’m planning on getting my snow peas in earlier though.

      Reply
  18. Kerri

    10 years ago

    Tweeted with my daughters account: Yeller11
    and posted on my wall on Facebook at: Kerri P.

    Reply
  19. Kerri

    10 years ago

    following you on both FB and Twitter (daughters account: Yeller11). Thanks!
    -Kerri P.

    Reply
  20. Nicola

    April 4, 2012 at 12:07 am

    So my ancestors lived in North Carolina too. If you’re on ancestry.com, it’s be cool to swap notes and see if we have any ancestors in common (apparently I’m related to a ton of people.. and it’s a “duh” thing but it’s still odd for me). My family heirlooms are: tarts (the real kind not the Starbucks wannabes), my religion (long line of Lutheran pastors), tea with milk and sugar, and a WWII gas mask from England.. oh and English food ration cards from WWII. Oh, and one can say my stubborn nature is a family heirloom. [email protected]

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      April 4, 2012 at 12:20 am

      Nicola, I’m laughing at the stubborn nature comment, that may mean we’re related for sure! If you ever want to share your tart recipe, I’m your girl. 🙂 I count my religion as my greatest family heirloom. How awesome about the WWII ration cards. The gas mask is scary, just knowing why it was needed.
      I’m not on ancestory.com, but if I do, we’ll hook up. I’m related to the Paines, Reece’s, and Dellinger’s from North Carolina as my main last names. I’ll have to pull out our family tree, I think it’s at my parents house.

      Reply
  21. erin

    April 4, 2012 at 12:19 am

    I’ve never had a tarheel bean but I love the idea of a heritage garden. I think I might start saving some of the heirloom tomato seeds from our garden and replanting each year.

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      April 4, 2012 at 12:21 am

      Erin, do save your seeds. I’m ordering all heirloom seeds or plants this year. Decided to take it all the way. We also do heirloom October beans. Saving the seeds make your garden free. What’s your favorite heirloom tomato variety?

      Reply
  22. Tami Lewis

    April 4, 2012 at 5:49 am

    i’d love to win!
    [email protected]

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Hi, Tami. I love your email. Here’s to being godly homemakers and women!

      Reply
  23. Your Family’s Legacy | Melissa K. Norris

    April 4, 2012 at 7:14 am

    […] Post navigation ← Previous […]

    Reply
  24. Amanda Huddleston

    April 4, 2012 at 9:53 am

    Beans are my favorite! Found your blog through Frugally Sustainable. Thanks for the opportunity. I signed up for your email posts.

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Thanks, Amanda! I recently found Frugally Sustainable and they’ve got some great stuff over there. I look forward to getting to know you. 🙂

      Reply
  25. Julie Cantrell

    10 years ago

    Me, Me, Pick ME! We just started a sustainable farm last year and love experimenting with new varieties. Love that you’re sharing with others. Thanks, Melissa! [email protected]

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Julie, I love your enthusiasm. And your writing! Girl, I still think about Millie. 🙂 My goal is to have every vegetable be an heirloom seed this year. I’ve got you entered.

      Reply
  26. kim

    10 years ago

    Thanks for a chance to win some of your great beans! I am close to the appalachian trail here, love the mountains. I am working this year to grow all heirloom, organic food.

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Kim, one of my goals in life is to travel back to North Carolina and see where my dad was born. We live at the base of the North Cascade Mt. range here. There’s nothing quite like looking up at the majestic tree line, far up in the sky. I always feel like they’re reaching towards their creator.
      I’m going all heirloom this year too!

      Reply
  27. Jentry L. Wright

    10 years ago

    Well, I think my favorite so far is the mini midgit catalope. The year I actually got them to grow they were delicious. I tried the Tarheel beans up here a couple years ago and loved them.

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      April 6, 2012 at 4:38 am

      One thing I haven’t tried is melons, Jentry. I might have to give them a try this summer. I didn’t know if they’d ripen with our shorter growing season. Thanks!

      Reply
  28. Jaimee Porter

    10 years ago

    I have looked everywhere for these bean and no one knows what I’m talking about. I grew up on these beans, they are my favorite above all veggies. Unfortunately, all grandparents and aunts and uncles that raised these beans have passed on and I lost my mom a few years ago so I have missed out on my “tarheel” beans, especially at holiday times. I never dreamed that I wouldn’t be abke to get the seeds to grow them myself now that I’m home and have time for a garden. My family came from Washington state also. Please enter me in your contest drawing. There is hope! Thank you much!

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      April 9, 2012 at 1:25 am

      Hey, Jaimee. I’m so sorry about your family and losing the bean. 🙁 I’ll enter you in the drawing. Like you, I assumed they were available everywhere until I forgot to save some on year and went to look in the stores. Thankfully, my dad had saved extra seed.

      Reply
  29. Jaimee Porter

    10 years ago

    *My last comment didn’t post*
    Please enter me in your contest drawing! I grew up on “tarheel” beans! My absolute favorite veggie in the world! All of my relatives who grew these, while I was growing up, have passed away and I lost my mom a few years ago so I haven’t had them since. I have been looking for them everywhere and no one knows what I’m talking about! Now that I’m home, I’d like to put in a garden and would LOVE to plant them to pass on to my growing family. This gives me hope! Thank you much!

    Reply
  30. Are Angels Real? | Melissa K. Norris

    April 9, 2012 at 7:42 am

    […] Remember to click the sign me up button here to receive new posts in your inbox. Theres still one week left to enter and win a package of Heirloom Tarheel Green Bean Seeds. […]

    Reply
  31. everydayadventure11

    10 years ago

    I just discovered you and your blog and I am enthralled! I have spent a good amount of my morning catching up on all I have missed 🙂

    I just planted my first ever garden yesterday, after talking my reluctant husband into tilling me up some rows. We live in a suburban area, hopefully to later move to a rural area, but I have read that you can be a homesteader no matter how “unfavorable” your conditions are. Ours are truly a blessing to have a beautiful acre of land with a small house but a large yard for our gardening and for our kids to get outside and get their hands dirty.

    I have opted to try many different heirloom varieties instead of the “normal” seeds you see in stores…I love food, but more especially I love food that takes us back to our roots and heirloom varieties do just that…not to mention that they are absolutely beautiful.

    Thank you for inspiring me, I look forward to making many more connections with you via Facebook and Pinterest!

    Reply
  32. everydayadventure11

    10 years ago

    Oh, and could I please be entered for a chance to win the heirloom seeds? In all my rambling I forgot to mention that 🙂

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Hey, Lindsay, You’re entered! I love that your not waiting until the timing is perfect to start homesteading. You don’t have to live in the country to do it. Good for you! A lot of things can also be grown in containers if you run out of garden space. We do garlic in raised beds and strawberries and tomatoes do well in large pots. I’m getting ready to pot my container herb garden as soon as it stops frosting in the morning. I’m looking forward to hearing about your adventures!

      Reply
      • everydayadventure11

        10 years ago

        All wonderful ideas – I already have 6 raised beds and about 15 containers full of stuff, and two more rows (really 4 if you space correctly) still isn’t enough! My goal is to have enough to eat all summer and can enough so that I don’t have to purchase ANY fruits/veg through the winter…my family had a garden growing up but the deer and rabbits would eat up so much, there might just be a perk to a suburban garden!

        What I am most proud of is my herb garden…it is extensive 🙂

        Reply
      • Melissa K. Norris

        10 years ago

        We have the same goals! Though I do still purchase some fresh vegetables in the winter, especially lettuce. But I never buy canned vegetables, because I’ve got my own. 🙂 I prefer to freeze the butternut squash, spinach, and brocolli though.
        I’m newer to herb gardening. I have lemon balm, mint, and thyme mixed in my flower beds. Any tips for wintering over rosemary? Mine never makes it. I’m hoping to do orgeno, basil, and cilantro. Any other’s I should include?

        Reply
      • everydayadventure11

        10 years ago

        Well, I am in VA so it doesn’t get bitterly cold here for the most part and my rosemary does just fine – I would say on bitterly cold or snowy days a cover of some kind would help, but I will research that more.

        As for more herbs, I always get a variety of basil (Thai, etc.) because I love it so much. I plant a bunch of it together so I have an assortment. I love chives and they are hardy so that helps. I love a good parsley plant and lavender is good for the garden and the soul! I need to add oregano, I have a stash of it dried so it wasn’t on my radar as much. I also want to figure out more ways to incorporate the lemon balm since I have so much of it.

        I don’t plant corn because the deer just eat it up here and I haven’t had any luck…maybe I will try it again sometime. I am following you on Facebook and your Christian book club page – so excited to find you and this resource, I am thrilled each time I get on here!

        Reply
      • everydayadventure11

        10 years ago

        Oh, and I forgot to mention that I did go buy some lattice for beans – I didn’t have luck with them last year and this year I will prevail! I also was able to plant much more because of the tilled rows in addition to my raised beds. I love the idea of planting them at the bottom of corn though, wouldn’t have thought of that!

        Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      I’m so glad we found each other too, Lindsay. I’m going to branch out on the basil, thanks for the tip. We have to fence our garden and fruit trees because of the deer. And, we have a thirty count elk herd that’s trying to work its way in. They are gorgeous to watch, but havoc on a garden. 🙂 Let me know what you find out for the lemon balm. I’ve got a good crop of that.

      Reply
  33. Tamika Hathaway

    10 years ago

    Thanks for sharing your family’s tradition with us so we can have a chance to start our own. Your story is amazing.

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Thanks, Tamika. I’ve got you entered. Are you a veteran or first time gardener?

      Reply
  34. Bobbi

    April 10, 2012 at 12:11 am

    I would love to be entered. I liked you on FB too.

    Reply
  35. Bobbi

    April 10, 2012 at 12:12 am

    My favorite memory is going to my grandma’s after church for big fmily dinners! I loved it and am trying to carry on the tradition. Beans were almst always on the menu!

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      April 10, 2012 at 2:15 am

      Certain recipes always remind me of the person who prepared them or gave me the recipe. I never realized how many memories were tied up w/ food until I organized my recipe book. 🙂 I’ve got you entered! Thanks, Bobbi.

      Reply
      • everydayadventure11

        10 years ago

        Our family started an online family cookbook where everyone is adding their favorite recipes and then we will have it printed up – can’t wait to see it in its physical form, recipes are such dear things that are made even more special when they are passed down through the generations! I want to gather more cast iron recipes as I recently added more cast iron to my collection 🙂

        Lindsay

        Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      April 10, 2012 at 2:22 am

      Lindsay, have you ever tried the method of planting pole or climbing plants (like the tarheel green bean) at the base of your corn? I read somewhere that people tried it when they had limited garden space. Might be worth investigating.

      Reply
  36. Carolyn M

    10 years ago

    I’m looking for a nice green bean to grow -these sound wonderful -nothing better than a good fresh green bean!

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      I’m with you Carolyn, green beans are my favorite vegetable. I’ve got you entered and thanks for the Pin.

      Reply
  37. Melody

    10 years ago

    I appreciate all your information about these special beans. I am in the process of transitioning to as many heirloom seeds as I can.

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Hey, Melody, I’m doing an all heirloom garden this year. I’ve always done heirloom beans, but now everything else will be too.

      Reply
  38. Carolyn M

    10 years ago

    I also added you to my Pinterest board

    Reply
  39. Pioneering Today-Heirloom Seed Saving and Gardening | Melissa K. Norris

    April 11, 2012 at 7:08 am

    […] I’ve always used heirloom tarheel green beans, but this year, I’m going all heirloom. If you haven’t entered, I’m giving away a packet of my seed to get you started here. […]

    Reply
  40. Sherrie Lou

    April 13, 2012 at 1:00 am

    My Dad’s family is from a small community in Cumberland County TN. Every family in that community grew up eating a green bean that they recieved from a man named George Dyer. No one knows the real name so they have always called them George Dyer Beans. My elderly aunts have been searching for these bean seeds for years, with no luck. They were so big that Granny used to grow them on a teepee made of 4 poles. Your Tarheel bean fits the description of the elusive George Dyer Bean. Would love to be able to grow some of these green beans in my garden and give some to my aunts to find out if they are the ones they have been searching for.
    P.S. I loved reading all of the family stories in the posts

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      April 13, 2012 at 1:29 am

      Sherrie, I’m so sorry your family lost their bean seed. I wonder if they are same bean. I’ve seen teepee poles like you talk about and they’d do great that way. In fact, once they sprout, if they don’t have anything to climb, they don’t grow. We put our wire up and they grew two inches over night with something to crawl on!
      Thanks for you comment. Family is important to me. 🙂 I wish I had enough seed to give everyone, I’m going to put more up this fall so I have more to give next spring. I’ve got you entered and best of luck!

      Reply
  41. Coni

    10 years ago

    Melissa Never heard of these beans. My family has raised a bean( for over 100 years) called brown stick beans, like yours the only way to get them is passed down,
    If you send me your mailing address i will send you some. I would love to win
    some of your seed.

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Coni, I’m intrigued by your family’s bean. Is it a shell bean or a green bean? I’ve got you entered. Thank you for your generosity. I’ll send you an email w/ my address now.

      Reply
  42. Laura

    April 16, 2012 at 3:33 am

    thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  43. Laura

    April 16, 2012 at 3:35 am

    I signed up!

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      April 16, 2012 at 3:46 am

      Great to have you, Laura. I’ve got you entered. Do you plant a large garden?

      Reply
  44. Why Pride Can Be Harmful | Melissa K. Norris

    April 16, 2012 at 7:05 am

    […] Remember to click on the sign me up button here so you don’t miss a single post. Today is the last day to enter my Heirloom Tarheel Green Bean Seed Giveaway. […]

    Reply
  45. Theresa N

    10 years ago

    It’s always hard to find just the right bean. Signed up for e-mail and tweeted.

    Reply
    • Melissa K. Norris

      10 years ago

      Thank you, Theresa! I’ve got you down. Yes, sometimes finding just the right variety of a plant can take forever.

      Reply
  46. Planting a Garden for Body and Soul | Melissa K. Norris

    May 30, 2012 at 4:31 am

    […] I spent $37 on organic heirloom seeds and another $6 on organic heirloom tomato starts. So far, I’m below the average. However, I did already have my Tarheel green bean seed. […]

    Reply
  47. Melody Green

    January 12, 2013 at 2:57 am

    Posted on fb, followed on pinterest, signed up to get your emails

    Please enter me….I would LOVE to win these!

    Love your site. 🙂

    Reply
  48. Bonnie

    9 years ago

    I love to garden and in the past canned a lot, not so much anymore. I also love green beans and I have never heard or Tarheel Beans but, would love to try them. I’m not on FB or Twitter tho.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      9 years ago

      Hi, Bonnie. The Tarheel bean giveaway is an annual thing now and I’m growing even more for seed so I can have more winners next year. 🙂

      Reply
  49. Dona Spisak

    9 years ago

    I missed this contest and am having fun collecting your recipes especially those that we don’t have. I have a basement full of canned foods along with soups and stews and powders and beans and beets and beans and carrots with potatoes, etc. I would like to know if it is possible to purchase these beans to grow next season to add to my huge garden. Any possibility?

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      9 years ago

      Dona,

      Sorry you missed the contest, but I have it every year, with more seed for more winners this coming year. 🙂 Glad you’re having fun with the recipes. I collect recipes like some girls with new shoes. I don’t sell the beans because I honestly have no idea what kind of laws pertain to that. But I’ll be giving away even more next spring. If I find out differently on the seed, I’ll let you know. Good job on your store of home canned goodies.

      Reply
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  52. Bean and Ham Soup RecipeMelissa K. Norris

    August 29, 2014 at 2:19 am

    […] I don’t have to soak them the night before, but if you don’t have home canned beans (we grow heirloom beans and save the seed, so except for the cost of the canning lid, they’re free for us) then dried […]

    Reply
  53. Galen

    July 6, 2015 at 7:48 am

    Awesome post.

    Reply
  54. Cathi Gutierrez

    7 years ago

    My grandparents and mom took a bus from Franklin, North Carolina back in 1943 and built their home on Bennett rd in Mt Vernon. For as long as I can remember she had a huge garden and grew tarheel beans. I remember helping to can every summer. Her and Papa have gone now and the house also. I don’t know what happened her beans nor her honeysuckle that she brought from back home. Memories from good times past

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      7 years ago

      Cathi,

      Wow, such a similar story to mine, is that Mt. Vernon, WA? I’m in eastern Skagit County!

      Reply
  55. Kerri

    6 years ago

    Hi Melissa,

    I love your podcast! Thanks for doing such a great job.

    I would love to be entered into this year’s contest for your Tarheel green bean seeds, if you have it. 🙂 Is it possible to buy them anywhere? I saw two places advertising them online, but I was not sure if they were trustworthy sites.

    I purchased a package of Kentucky Wonder heirloom seeds that we will be planting this year. Have you heard any reviews on these ones?

    Thanks so much,

    Kerri

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      6 years ago

      Hi Kerri!

      My uncle really like the Kentucky Wonder beans. I haven’t seen them for sale anywhere so I’m not sure about the sites in reference to the Tarheel green beans. Unfortunately, I”m out this year as I offered them as a bonus to people who purchased my new book, The Made-From-Scratch Life when it came out in February. I’ll have more this fall when we harvest again.

      Reply
      • Kerri

        6 years ago

        Hi Melissa,

        Thanks for your response, I appreciate it. Glad to hear you have had at least one good review for the Kentucky Wonder beans.

        I chose them, because I read that the beans inside can be harvested for dried beans (I believe you call them shellee beans…) and I get a two-fer out of the deal. Can I can these in the same way as you can your October beans?

        Thanks again, Melissa.

        I look forward to purchasing and reading your book!

        Kerri

        Reply
  56. Clarissa Cope

    June 20, 2016 at 1:36 am

    Do you know where a person could get some seeds? My husband’s grandpa very well could have been one of the other families traveling from North Carolina to Washington State with your ancestors lol. He brought the family to Darrington WA and he brought the beans. He grew them every year, canned them, and put the bacon in. He brought them to every family holiday…YUM. I met him just after I met my husband in 1999. He died in 2003 and sadly his beans died with him. No one has been able to replicate them. I can green beans every year and they are good, but they don’t even come close. Anyway, sorry for the long story but I was just wondering if you could point me in the direction to get some sees. Also, if you have your canning recipe for the beans that you’d be willing to share, that would be wonderful!

    Reply
  57. Sarah McKenzie

    6 years ago

    How can I get some tar heel green bean seeds?

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      June 28, 2016 at 1:03 am

      Sarah, I’m out right now, but check back with me this September!

      Reply
  58. Sarah McKenzie

    6 years ago

    I read the book “The Made-from-Scratch Life: Simple Ways to Create a Natural Home” and loved it. You have a real talent for bringing God back into someone’s life with your writing. God Bless You!!!

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      June 28, 2016 at 1:02 am

      Thank you so much, Sarah and may He bless you too!

      Reply
  59. Pat Jones

    6 years ago

    I was given Tarheel beans when I left Lyman-Hamilton area in Skagit county 30plus years ago. I didn’t live where I could plant them. So I lost my seed beans. Might I purchase a few from you for next year? They are the best beans ever. Thank you Pat Jones 509-737-7121 or my email.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      September 19, 2016 at 2:41 am

      Pat,
      I’m harvesting our seed bean right now and if I have extra I’ll let you know.

      Reply
  60. sharlene miller

    5 years ago

    We grow a lot of green beans and would love to try your tarheel variety! I have been enjoying your recipes. Thanks, Sharlene

    Reply
  61. Rainy

    5 years ago

    Guess I am a few years late for this. A dear friend used to grow these in Washington, he was from North Carolina. Was interesting to read of their origin.

    Reply
  62. John Andrews

    5 years ago

    I want to get some of these seeds. Can you help me out please.

    Reply
  63. Christel

    5 years ago

    Hello Melissa! Are you having a Give-Away for your beans again this year? I am very interested to try them.

    Just like you, I have tried Bush beans and did not like them much. My Pole beans were a lot more prolific.

    Thank you so very much for all the work you put into your blog, e-mails and Webinars. I have learned so much!!

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      5 years ago

      Christel,
      This year’s giveaway is over, but I am giving as a special bonus a packet of beans to those who join the Pioneering Today Academy for the year. You can check your emails this week if you didn’t get the link from the Webinar to join the Academy.

      Reply
  64. Greg smith

    3 years ago

    I’ve never tried these beans but I want to try something new and this should fit that niche nicely! I’m not on FB or twitter but love vintage and heirloom varieties. We have a large garden and can and freeze lots of produce. I want to dry more this fall.

    Reply
  65. Phoenix Hunter

    March 27, 2019 at 12:28 am

    These sound like my grandmother’s beans that I’ve been searching for. I love them and no other green bean tastes like them.

    Reply
  66. Mary

    2 years ago

    Hello Melissa, I was online the other day and saw where I was able to purchase Your Tar Heel bean seed from you. Could you direct me to that site or is it possible to purchase from here. Thanks in advance
    Mary yerges

    Reply
  67. marshall reagan

    January 7, 2020 at 8:45 am

    if you are going to have any of the tarheel green bean seed extra this year I would like to purchase some to get a start of. just let me know if you will or not. if not then maybe next season.
    thanks
    marshall

    Reply
  68. Lisa

    March 29, 2020 at 2:53 am

    Just curious if you sell the seeds for the Tarheel pole beans. I read that you can’t purchase them in stores so how can one go about getting them? I live in NC and have just began a serious but smallish garden this year and would love to add some sort of “green” bean to it.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      2 years ago

      I don’t sell them but I do give them away as a bonus to members of the Pioneering Today Academy each February.

      Reply
  69. Krystal Selvidge

    2 months ago

    Hello Melissa, I recently discovered your YouTube channel. I love your content. I am a new homesteader and teacher in Tennessee, and would love to try tarheel beans. I am looking forward to watching more of your videos. P.S. thanks for giving me hope to make another sour dough starter.

    ~Krystal

    Reply

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