Mortgage Lifter Beans

Grow a piece of Depression-era ingenuity with Mortgage Lifter Beans, an heirloom variety with a legendary backstory. Named by a West Virginia farmer who reportedly paid off his mortgage by selling these productive beans, this variety delivers exceptional yields of large, meaty beans with outstanding flavor. These vigorous pole beans climb enthusiastically and produce abundantly throughout the season, living up to their money-making reputation.

Growing Information

Days to maturity: 65-75 days for fresh beans, 90-100 days for dry beans
Planting: Direct sow after last frost when soil temperature reaches 60°F; plant seeds 1 inch deep
Spacing: 4-6 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart
Sun: Full sun (6-8 hours daily)
Plant type: Pole bean, vigorous vines grow 6-8 feet tall and require support
Support needed: Yes – provide sturdy poles, trellises, or teepees
Zones: 3-10 (warm-season annual)

Harvest & Use

Harvest young pods as snap beans when tender and stringless, or allow to mature for shell beans and dry storage. The large, flat beans have a rich, meaty flavor with creamy texture that makes them incredibly versatile. Excellent for fresh eating, freezing, canning, or drying for winter storage. Perfect for succotash, bean soups, casseroles, and Southern-style green beans with bacon. The continuous production means you'll harvest fresh beans for weeks. Dried beans store beautifully for year-round use.

Care Tips

Mortgage Lifter Beans thrive in rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Install support structures before or at planting time. Water regularly at the base of plants, providing 1-1.5 inches per week. These vigorous climbers benefit from side-dressing with compost mid-season. As nitrogen-fixers, they enrich soil for future crops. Plant with corn, squash, radishes, or cucumbers for excellent companion planting. Avoid planting near onions, garlic, or beets. Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Why Choose Mortgage Lifter Beans

This legendary heirloom offers exceptional productivity that lives up to its name – these beans truly can help pay the bills at farmers markets. The dual-purpose nature means you can harvest fresh snap beans all summer and still get a crop of dried beans for storage. Vigorous vines maximize vertical space in small gardens while delivering impressive yields. As an open-pollinated variety with a compelling history, you're growing a piece of American agricultural heritage while enjoying superior flavor and reliability that modern hybrids can't match.