Vegetables - Seeds

Phaseolus vulgaris

A favourite French heirloom, made famous by its integral use in cassoulet. A creamy white bean traditionally used dried and shelled, though it can also be enjoyed young and green straight off the vine.

Approximately 15 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: September to March
Subtropics: October to February
Mild climates: Late spring to summer
Cold climates: After frost has passed

Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly into warm, well drained soil in full sun. In cooler climates, plant in late spring once frost risk has passed. Space seeds 10 to 15 cm apart and provide support for climbing plants.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Phaseolus vulgaris

A most popular vegetable. Takes little room, high yielding and nutritious. It bears later but longer than bush beans and ensures a continuous supply. Grows well in all soils if not waterlogged. Does best in near neutral conditions. Sow after frost. 

This variety is traditionally associated with the Mohawk people of Kahnawà:ke, a Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk) community located along the St. Lawrence River in what is now Québec, Canada. Beans such as this have long been grown as part of the “Three Sisters” planting system alongside maize and squash (pumpkin), a method that reflects deep agricultural knowledge and ecological balance. The seeds are medium to large and visually striking, often marbled in tones of cream, brown, and purple. Grown primarily as a dry bean, pods are left to mature and dry fully on the vine before harvest. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this bean forms a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria, fixing atmospheric nitrogen and contributing to soil fertility. Well suited to warm conditions, it performs best with support, steady moisture during early growth, and a dry finish for seed maturation.

https://www.edenseeds.com.au/gardening-article?blogposturl=growing-beans

Approximately 20 seeds per packet

When To Plant In Australia
Tropics:    All Year
Subtropic:    Aug-Apr
Mild:    Sep-Jan
Cold/Frost:    Oct-Dec

Seed Sowing
Plant space cm:    10-20
Row space cm:    100
Depth cm:    2-3
Best soil temp:    16-30 °C
Sow after frost:    Yes

Other Info
Number of seeds per gram:    3-4
Rate per hectare:    50kg
Average days to maturity:    65-80

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Phaseolus vulgaris

A climbing wax bean producing pale yellow, flat pods with a slight string. Plants grow vigorously to around 1.8 m and are grown for fresh use.

Approximately 60 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: September to March
Subtropics: October to February
Mild climates: Late spring to summer
Cold climates: After frost has passed

Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly into warm, well drained soil in full sun once soil temperatures are suitable. Provide sturdy support for climbing plants. Space seeds 10 to 15 cm apart and keep soil evenly moist during establishment.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Phaseolus vulgaris

A most popular vegetable. Takes little room, high yielding and nutritious. It bears later but longer than bush beans and ensures a continuous supply. Grows well in all soils if not waterlogged. Does best in near neutral conditions. Sow after frost. 

An Italian Romano-style climbing bean producing long, flat yellow pods with a meaty, buttery texture. Pods are stringless, even when larger, and hold their shape and crispness well when cooked. When left to mature, plants produce striking glossy black beans that are excellent for drying and storage. Vigorous climbing plants to 3 metres tall, are very productive and require support, performing well through the warm season. A versatile variety valued for both fresh eating and dry bean use.

https://www.edenseeds.com.au/gardening-article?blogposturl=growing-beans

Approximately 20 seeds per packet

When To Plant In Australia
Tropics:    All Year
Subtropic:    Aug-Apr
Mild:    Sep-Jan
Cold/Frost:    Oct-Dec

Seed Sowing
Plant space cm:    10-20
Row space cm:    100
Depth cm:    2-3
Best soil temp:    16-30 °C
Sow after frost:    Yes

Other Info
Number of seeds per gram:    3-4
Rate per hectare:    50kg
Average days to maturity:    65-80

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Phaseolus vulgaris

A popular climbing bean producing straight, flat, bright purple pods to around 17 cm in length. Highly prolific and productive over many weeks. Pods turn green when cooked, giving rise to its nickname, the “Magic Bean”. Well suited to fresh use and cooking.

Approximately 15 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: September to March
Subtropics: October to February
Mild climates: Late spring to summer
Cold climates: After frost has passed

Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly into warm, well drained soil in full sun once soil temperatures are suitable. Provide sturdy support for climbing plants. Space seeds 10 to 15 cm apart and keep soil evenly moist during establishment. Harvest from around 65 to 75 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Phaseolus vulgaris

A popular climbing bean producing straight, flat, bright purple pods to around 17 cm in length. Highly prolific and productive over many weeks. Pods turn green when cooked, giving rise to its nickname, the “Magic Bean”. Well suited to fresh use and cooking.

Approximately 60 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: September to March
Subtropics: October to February
Mild climates: Late spring to summer
Cold climates: After frost has passed

Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly into warm, well drained soil in full sun once soil temperatures are suitable. Provide sturdy support for climbing plants. Space seeds 10 to 15 cm apart and keep soil evenly moist during establishment. Harvest from around 65 to 75 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Phaseolus vulgaris

An excellent climbing bean with a long harvest period. Produces green pods streaked with purple, stringless when young and full flavoured. Pods can be eaten fresh or allowed to dry on the vine, yielding beige and brown speckled beans well suited to soups and slow cooked dishes. Copes well with heat and performs reliably through the warm season.

Approximately 50 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: September to March
Subtropics: October to February
Mild climates: Late spring to summer
Cold climates: After frost has passed

Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly into warm, well drained soil in full sun once soil temperatures are suitable. Provide sturdy support for climbing plants. Space seeds 10 to 15 cm apart and keep soil evenly moist during establishment. Harvest fresh pods from around 75 days or allow beans to mature fully for drying at approximately 90 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Phaseolus coccineus

An old standard variety and vigorous climber, often known as the Seven Year Bean for its ability to resprout from the roots. Produces large, quality pods and striking scarlet flowers. Seeds are black and purple and have traditionally been used to make bean jewellery. Originating from the South American highlands, this variety is best suited to cooler climates. Despite conflicting reports, the roots are considered poisonous and should not be eaten.

Approximately 22 seeds per packet
Seed count: 1 per gram

When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Not recommended
Subtropics: Spring to early summer
Mild climates: Spring to summer
Cold climates: Late spring after frost has passed

Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly into warm, well drained soil in full sun. In cooler regions, wait until frost risk has passed. Provide sturdy support for climbing plants. Space seeds 10 to 15 cm apart and keep soil evenly moist during establishment. Harvest pods from around 65 to 90 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Vigna unguiculata var. sesquipedalis

A vigorous climbing snake bean producing long, dark green pods with red seeded beans. Well suited to warm conditions and grown for tender pods harvested young.

Approximately 20 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: September to March
Subtropics: October to February
Mild climates: Late spring to summer
Cold climates: After frost has passed

Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly into warm, well drained soil in full sun. Plant once soil temperatures are consistently warm. Provide support for climbing vines. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment and harvest pods regularly for best quality.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Phaseolus vulgaris

Turkey Craw is an old Appalachian climbing bean with an unusual story behind its name. Tradition holds that the original beans were discovered in the crop of a wild turkey in the 1800s, giving rise to a variety that has been maintained through generations of family and community seed saving.

A true dual-purpose bean, the pods can be harvested young and tender for fresh eating or left to mature for shelling and dried beans. The mature seeds are beautifully mottled cream and brown and develop a rich, full flavour when cooked, making them excellent for soups, stews and traditional bean dishes.

Associated particularly with the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, Turkey Craw has been recognised by the Slow Food Ark of Taste as a culturally significant regional variety. Vigorous climbing plants crop generously through warm weather and require a sturdy trellis or other support.

Approximately 20 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: September–March
Mild climates: October–February
Cold climates: October–January, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 2–3 cm deep directly where plants are to grow once the soil has warmed. Space plants approximately 10–15 cm apart with 60–100 cm between rows and provide a sturdy trellis, fence or other climbing support.

Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain consistent moisture during flowering and pod development. Harvest young pods regularly for fresh eating, or allow pods to mature and dry fully on the vine for dried beans and seed saving.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Phaseolus vulgaris

A vigorous climbing bean producing pale green pods to around 12 cm, developing purple flecking as they mature. Pods are almost round, tender, succulent, and delicious as a snap bean, remaining stringless when young. Plants form long vines to around 3.5 m, are heavy bearing, and perform well under difficult growing conditions. Offered in a Sydney seed catalogue as early as 1861, making this a long grown variety in Australia.

Approximately 15 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: September to March
Subtropics: October to February
Mild climates: Late spring to summer
Cold climates: After frost has passed

Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly into warm, well drained soil in full sun. In cooler climates, plant in late spring once frost risk has passed. Provide sturdy support for climbing vines. Space seeds 10 to 15 cm apart and keep soil evenly moist during establishment. Harvest from around 80 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Vigna angularis

A distinctive semi-climbing adzuki-type bean producing abundant small, nearly round seeds with excellent flavour and texture. Vigorous plants benefit from a trellis or support and are well suited to home gardens. The dried beans are ideal for soups, stews, curries and sprouting, and are especially prized in Asian cuisine for both savoury dishes and sweet bean pastes. Harvest once the pods have dried on the vine for long-term storage. Best grown in full sun after the danger of frost has passed.

Approx. 20 seeds per packet.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Trichosanthes anguina

Gauda Bean, also known as New Guinea Butter Bean or Snake Gourd, is a vigorous tropical annual climber producing long, slender fruits approximately 30–60 cm long and up to 4 cm wide. The vigorous vines climb in a similar fashion to choko and benefit from a strong trellis or other substantial support.

The young fruits are harvested at around 30 cm long while still tender and are eaten cooked. They have a mild flavour and can be used in curries, stir-fries and other cooked dishes. As fruits mature they become increasingly fibrous and are best left for seed rather than eating.

A productive warm-season plant, Gauda Bean thrives in hot, humid conditions with full sun, fertile soil and regular moisture. The vigorous vines need plenty of room to climb and spread and are particularly well suited to tropical and subtropical gardens.

Approximately 10 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Late spring to summer in warm locations
Cold climates: Generally unsuitable unless grown through a long, warm, frost-free season

Planting / Sowing

Sow directly where plants are to grow once the soil is warm, approximately 2–3 cm deep. Alternatively, raise seedlings in individual pots and transplant carefully once conditions are reliably warm.

Space plants approximately 60–100 cm apart and provide a strong trellis or climbing frame. Keep well watered during vigorous growth and fruit development. Harvest fruits young at approximately 30 cm long for the best eating quality.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Phaseolus lunatus

Madagascar Bean is a vigorous perennial Lima Bean producing large, flat, kidney-shaped seeds beautifully mottled in maroon and white. Phaseolus lunatus is an ancient cultivated species, with archaeological evidence of domestication in the Americas stretching back thousands of years.

A vigorous climber particularly well suited to tropical and subtropical conditions, the vines can become substantial and benefit from a strong, permanent trellis or fence. Pods generally contain 2–3 large, colourful beans and tend to develop later in the growing season, rewarding gardeners with a productive crop once the vines are well established.

The mature beans are harvested and dried for storage, then soaked and cooked for use in soups, stews, curries and other dishes. Like all Lima Beans, Madagascar Beans must be thoroughly cooked before eating and should never be eaten raw or undercooked, as the raw seeds naturally contain cyanogenic glycosides that are broken down through proper preparation and cooking.

In warm, frost-free climates the plants can persist for several years, making Madagascar Bean an excellent perennial addition to productive subtropical and tropical gardens.

Approximately 8 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring to early summer
Cold climates: Spring after frost where the season is sufficiently long and warm

Planting / Sowing

Sow directly where plants are to grow once the soil has warmed, approximately 2–3 cm deep. Keep moist during germination but avoid waterlogged soil.

Space plants approximately 50–75 cm apart and provide a strong trellis, fence or other climbing structure. Allow pods to mature and dry on the vine before harvesting beans intended for storage. Protect perennial vines from frost in cooler locations.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Lagenaria siceraria

Despite its common name, New Guinea Bean is not a bean at all but a vigorous edible gourd closely related to bottle gourds. The fast-growing annual vines produce remarkable long, pale green fruits that can eventually reach up to 2 m in length when allowed to mature.

For eating, fruits are harvested very young at approximately 10–20 cm long, while the skin and flesh are still tender. At this stage they can be cooked much like zucchini, with a mild flavour suited to stir-fries, curries, soups and other savoury dishes. As the fruit matures, the outer shell becomes increasingly hard and the flesh is no longer suitable for use as a tender vegetable.

New Guinea Bean is a vigorous warm-season climber and requires plenty of room and a very strong trellis or other support. It thrives in full sun, fertile soil and warm conditions with regular moisture during active growth and fruiting.

Seed count: approximately 3 seeds/g
Approximately 10 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Late spring to summer
Cold climates: Spring to early summer after frost

Planting / Sowing

Sow directly once the soil is reliably warm, approximately 2–3 cm deep, or raise in individual pots and transplant carefully after frost. Keep moist during germination without waterlogging.

Space plants approximately 75–100 cm apart and provide a strong trellis or climbing frame capable of supporting vigorous vines and developing fruit. Harvest young fruits at approximately 10–20 cm long for eating.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Phaseolus vulgaris

A prolific bush bean producing large, kidney-shaped, deep red seeds. Grown primarily as a dried bean, it is widely used in baking, soups, and Mexican-style dishes. Valued for its yield and versatility in the kitchen.

Approximately 30 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March to August
Subtropics: August to March
Mild climates: Spring to summer
Cold climates: Late spring after frost has passed

Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly into warm, well drained soil in full sun once soil temperatures are suitable. Space seeds to allow good airflow around plants. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment. Allow pods to mature fully on the plant for drying. Approximately 90 to 100 days to maturity.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Mucuna sp.

Velvet Bean is a vigorous tropical legume producing fast-growing vines that can reach approximately 6 m in suitable conditions. A heavy-bearing climber, it develops rounded pods approximately 15 × 75 mm, with each pod containing up to four large seeds.

Well suited to tropical and warm subtropical gardens, Velvet Bean produces dense foliage and vigorous growth and requires a strong trellis, fence or other substantial support. As a legume, it is also valued as a green manure and cover crop, producing abundant biomass and helping improve soil through nitrogen fixation.

Young, immature pods of some cultivated Mucuna types have traditionally been eaten cooked. However, Mucuna species and varieties differ considerably in their levels of naturally occurring compounds, particularly L-DOPA, so identification of the particular strain is important when it is being grown for food rather than as a cover crop.

Velvet Bean has a long history in traditional medicine, particularly Mucuna pruriens, whose mature seeds are naturally rich in L-DOPA, a precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine. The seeds have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for nervous system support, reproductive health and as a restorative tonic.

Seed count: approximately 1 seed/g
Approximately 12 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Late spring to summer in warm locations
Cold climates: Generally unsuitable unless grown during a long, warm, frost-free season

Planting / Sowing

Sow directly once the soil is warm, approximately 2–3 cm deep. Keep moist during germination and establishment but avoid waterlogging.

Space plants approximately 60–100 cm apart and provide a strong trellis or climbing structure to accommodate the vigorous vines. Plants thrive in full sun, warm conditions and fertile, well-drained soil.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety.

Not Available for WA