Photo: "Phaseolus vulgaris fruit" by Forest and Kim Starr
· CC BY 3.0
Vegetable · Snap-bean
Contender Bush Bean
Fabaceae
EARLIEST PRODUCER in this set (45-55 DTM). Reliable heavy yielder. Perfect for short/cool seasons (zones 4a-5b). Round green pods, good all-around performer. Also works as late-season 'gap filler' planted midsummer for fall harvest before frost.
At a Glance
Days to Maturity
45–55 days
Sun
6+ hours
Container
Yes
3+ gallon pot
Height
1.3–1.5 ft
Zone Planting Guide
Growing Guide
Germination
Germination Time
7–10 days
Optimal Temp
75°F
Seed Depth
1"
Watering
Weekly Water
1 "
Needs
Moderate
Soil
pH Range
6–7
Resilience
Heat: Medium
Cold: Low
Drought: Medium
Nutrition
Feeding Intensity
Light feeder
Harvest
Storage
Harvest young pods; pick every 2–3 days in peak season.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Silver queen sweet corn
Classic companion; beans can benefit from corn as a living trellis in mixed plantings.
Avoid Planting Near
Green onion scallion
Alliums are commonly listed as poor companions for beans.
Softneck garlic
Alliums are commonly listed as poor companions for beans.
Sources
university
Iowa State Extension
seed_catalog
Annie's Heirloom Seeds
university
University of Maryland Extension — Growing Beans in a Home Garden
university
Virginia Cooperative Extension — Companion Planting in Gardening (SPES-620)
university
UC Master Gardener Program (UC Davis) — Companion Planting Chart
More Vegetables
Contender Bush Bean Planting Dates by Zone
Planting dates for Contender Bush Bean vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.
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