Growing Non-GMO Contender Bush Bean Vegetable Seeds
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How to Grow Contender Bush Beans from Seed
Bush bean can be started indoors, but performs best if sown directly after the final spring frost. Sow 2-3 seeds 1" deep and 2-3" apart in moist, Organically rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. Whether direct sowing or transplanting, thin out strongest starts to every 18-24" in the garden as true leaves establish. Beans need light and consistent watering but, when doing so, water as close to the root as possible to avoid saturating greens known to cause root rot and mildew.
Plants thrive from a top layer of mulch to help cool soil and roots. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers which will cause excessive vegetative growth with minimal bean pod production.
Contender Bush Beans in the Vegetable Garden
Green beans can be grown indoors, however due to their size and requirement of having full sun, outdoors is best. To get started, sow the seeds just one inch beneath the surface in a loose soil, with four inches between plants and eighteen to twenty four inches between rows. Beans need light, but even, watering. Because the leaves can become afflicted with disease if made wet, you should water as close to the root as possible.
If you do find that a leaf has become diseased, remove it from the plant immediately, as the disease can spread. You can begin harvesting beans when they are about three to five inches long; this will usually be around fifty to seventy days. Leaving mature beans on the plant can stop or slow production, so be sure to keep an eye on these rapid growers! Seeds can be stored in a cool dry place for future use!
Harvesting Contender Bush Beans
Most varieties of bush bean are ready to harvest at about 50-60 days from sowing or once the pods are 3-5" long. Harvest often to encourage fruiting and to ensure pods do not dehydrate on the vine. Although some pods may pull cleanly from the vine, use a knife or shears for more fibrous pods to avoid accidental damage to the plant. Like many crops in the garden, it is widely believed that beans are best harvested in the morning for optimal sugar content.
About Contender Bush Bean Garden Seeds
Contender bush bean is our #1 selling bean for three years running now. There is a good reason for that--taste and reliability.
Contender is an early bush bean, that is reliable, heavy yielding, and considered by many to be the earliest producing bean at an amazing 40-45 days!
Contender bean is perfect for short, cool seasons where other beans may not perform well. This bean is mildew tolerant and still does well in hot weather.
Contender bean pods are 6" long, stringless, medium-sized, and slightly curved. Plants grow 12-22" tall. Contender beans are excellent straight from your garden or cooked.
Contender Beans are recommended by the Following State Universities or Ag Extension Offices as a variety that performs well for their region. CA, FL, TX
The Texas Gardener Magazine says about Contender bean seeds...
"The most common type in our Texas gardens is the standard round-podded types. One that is an old standard with Texas gardeners is "ËœContender." This bean consistently produces nice crops of good quality pods and does well in many different soils and climates. I have conducted trials for a number of years and although "ËœContender" has never been the winner in productivity, it was always in the top group."
***In our taste test people said Contender was milder in flavor compared to some other bush beans, but much more tender making it perfect for stir-frys or fresh in salads.
Contender Bush Bean Seeds Per Package:
- 18 g - Packet - Approximately 55 Seeds
- 30g - Packet - Approximately 90 Seeds
- 4oz - Wholesale - Approximately 350 Seeds
- 1 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 1,400 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk - Approximately 7,000 Seeds
- 25 lb - Bulk - Approximately 35,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Contender bush bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on orders over $45.
