Hidatsa Shield Bean - Heirloom 15 seeds

From the Hidatsa tribe who raised corn, squash, beans, and sunflowers in the Missouri River Valley of North Dakota. Shield Figure beans are described in Buffalo Bird Woman’s Garden (1917). This very productive variety was boarded onto Slow Food USA’s Ark of Taste in 2005.

Deep in the Missouri River Valley of North Dakota the Hidatsa Indians grew this pole type drying bean in their corn fields. The Indians were masters of growing plants that were helpful to each other such as the "Three Sisters".

How the Three Sisters work...Beans/Corn/Squash
The Indians planted the corn first, once it was a few inches in height, they planted the Hidatsa beans at the base of each corn stalks. Normally 3-4 Hidatsa seeds per corn stalk. Then they planted squash.

This is how that works out...the corn gives the beans something to grow on. The Hidatsa beans fix nitrogen at the base of the corn, helping this hungry veggie grow. And last but not least the large squash leaves take over the ground, crowding out the weeds, and shading the ground as well saving precious moisture.

Hidatsa beans are very prolific and make a great crop of dried beans to put away for the winter. You need to figure on planting a number of them if you want pounds put away for your pantry. Try the Three Sisters method in the corn patch!

Let your beans dry on the vine unless weather threatens, then pull and hang the entire plant upside down in the barn/garage to dry. Now take a clean garbage can or burlap bag and put your Hidatsa beans in it. Now, the fun part. Beat the heck out of the beans. If you are using a burlap bag you can beat it on the floor or stomp on it. The idea is to get all the Hidatsa beans free of their shells. Now take this combination of beans and shells to winnow. That means, by either using a fan or the wind let the shells blow away. I use two big Rubbermaid containers. One empty on the ground and the other full of beans I slowly dump into the empty one letting the chaff blow out (fan or wind). That is it! Now you have your own 100% organic dry beans ready to feed your family anytime you want! Not to mention all the money you will save.

Pole habit, dry, 90 days.