Bush Bean Seeds - Contender - Phaseolus vulgaris

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

USDA Zones 3-11: Grows as a fast-maturing warm-season annual across all zones. Beans are not frost-tolerant and must be planted after all danger of frost has passed.

Best Performance (Zones 4-8): Ideal for succession planting. Start after the last frost and plant a new batch every 2-3 weeks until 60 days before the first fall frost for a continuous harvest all summer.

Northern Zones (3-5): A reliable producer even in short-season areas. Direct sow outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil reaches 60 degrees F. The fast 40-55 day maturity ensures a heavy crop.

Hot Climate Zones (9-11): Plant in early spring to harvest before the peak summer heat (consistent temperatures over 90 degrees F can cause blossoms to drop). Plant a second, highly productive crop in late summer or early fall as temperatures cool.

Soil Temperature: Requires warm soil of at least 60 degrees F for germination. Seeds will rot in cool, damp soil. Optimal germination occurs between 70-80 degrees F.

Growing Season: Requires only 40-55 frost-free days to produce a crop, making it one of the fastest vegetables. This allows for multiple plantings (succession sowing) in most zones.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

Direct Sow Outdoors: Plant seeds 1-2 weeks after your average last frost date, once the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees F.

DO NOT plant indoors. Beans have sensitive roots and do not transplant well. Direct sowing is the only reliable method.

Succession Planting: For a continuous harvest, plant new seeds every 2-3 weeks. Stop planting about 8 weeks before your first expected fall frost.

Where to Plant:

Sunlight: Full sun is essential. Beans require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Soil: Plant in rich, fertile, well-drained soil.

Soil Note: Beans are "nitrogen-fixers," meaning they create their own nitrogen. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which will result in beautiful, bushy plants but very few beans. Amending the soil with aged compost before planting is ideal.

Rotation: Do not plant beans where other legumes (beans, peas) have grown for the past 2-3 years to prevent soil-borne diseases.

How to Plant:

Depth: Plant seeds 1 inch deep.

Spacing: Plant seeds 3 inches apart.

Rows: Space rows 18-24 inches apart to give plants room to fill out.

Germination: Seeds will sprout in 7-14 days. Keep the seedbed evenly moist during this time.

Inoculant (Optional): For the best results and highest yields, you can treat the seeds with a "bean inoculant" powder just before planting. This helps the roots fix nitrogen more efficiently.

Growing and Care:

Thinning: Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to stand 6 inches apart.

Watering: Water consistently and evenly, providing about 1 inch of water per week. Water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry and prevent disease. This is most critical during the flowering and pod-forming stages.

Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like straw or grass clippings) once seedlings are established. This retains soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps the soil cool.

Weeding: Beans have shallow roots, so weed gently by hand. Avoid deep cultivation near the base of the plants.

Harvesting:

When: Harvest when pods are 5-7 inches long, firm, crisp, and about the thickness of a pencil. Do not wait until the seeds inside the pod begin to swell and bulge; the pods will be tough by then.

How: Harvest frequently! This is the most important rule. Pick beans every 2-3 days. The more you pick, the more the plant will produce.

Technique: Gently pull the bean while holding the stem with your other hand, or use scissors to snip them off. This avoids accidentally uprooting the shallow-rooted plant.