Bean Bush Contender Organic Seed (Phaseolus - vulgaris)

heriloomContender is simply the earliest bean we could find, only 40 days from sowing to harvest! It has a delicious bean flavor, is stringless, very productive, and tolerates hot weather and mildew. Like out other snap beans, Contender is stringless and excellent when eaten cooked or fresh right out of the garden. Pods are 6" long, thick, and slightly curved on 12" to 20" tall plants.

When to plant outside:
RECOMMENDED. Sow in spring, after average last frost. If the weather is cold and wet, wait for warmer weather. Note: In very hot summer areas such as the south and southwest, plant in March for June harvest and in August for late September harvest.

When to start inside: Not recommended. Special Sowing & Germination Instructions:It isn't absolutely necessary, but seeds can be treated with an inoculant containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This may help plant growth and production if you are planting beans or peas in an area for the first time. Beans need good air circulation, thus the recommended distance between rows of 3'-4'. Seeds that do not come up can be immediately replaced. BUY NEW SEED EVERY YEAR. Bean seed does not store well and old seed is a big contributor to home garden failure.

Harvesting: Snap beans are ready to pick when the pod "snaps" or breaks in half CLEANLY. This is when seeds have just begun to form, and the pods are 4"-8" long. Hold stem with one hand and the pod with the other hand to avoid pulling off branches which may continue to produce. When harvesting, bush beans, some recommend pulling up the whole plant at once, since bush beans produce primarily all at once. (After harvest, the nitrogen-rich plants make great compost material!)

Container Tips: Bush beans can be grown in containers that are at least 2 gallons. 1 plant per container or thin plants to 4"-6" apart in larger containers. They are fun to grow in plastic-lined baskets (with drainage). (To view a commonly asked question about growing beans, click here.).