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Growing Contender Bush Beans in the Vegetable Garden

Begin by selecting a sunny location, as beans love full sun and need around 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. The soil should be at least 60 F, well-draining, and have a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0). Beans prefer loose, fertile soil, so it’s a good idea to amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Direct sow the seeds outside once the soil is warm enough.

Water regularly, aiming for about 1 inch per week. It is best to water early in the morning or with a drip hose to avoid water on the leaves too often. Beans are light feeders, meaning they don’t require fertilizer unless soils are particularly poor. During the growing season, you can give them a light side-dressing of compost or a low-nitrogen fertilizer if the plants look pale or malnourished, but too much nitrogen can result in lush leaves with fewer beans.

Harvesting Contender Bush Beans

Contender is primarily a snap bean, meaning it’s grown for its tender pods, which are harvested while young and immature before the seeds swell too much. You can expect to start harvesting around 50-55 days after planting. The beans are ready to harvest when the pods are 4-6 inches long, firm, and smooth. At this stage, they will still be stringless and tender. To harvest, simply pinch or snip the pods off the plant, avoiding pulling or tugging at it, as this could damage or uproot it. You should harvest beans every couple of days to encourage more production. They will develop a string and become tough if left to mature too far.

About Contender Bush Bean Garden Seeds

Bred specifically for early maturity and disease resistance, Contender was created to be a versatile, adaptable bean that could handle various growing conditions.

Contender Bush Beans are mainly grown for fresh eating as snap beans, but they can also be canned or frozen for later use. When harvested at the right time, they have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a tender, juicy texture.

Contender is one of our top-selling beans year after year. Contender beans are perfect for short, cool seasons where other beans may not perform well. This bean is mildew tolerant and still does well in hot weather.

Beans need light, but even watering. Because the leaves can become diseased if wet, 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.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"Contender beans are perfect for steaming, sautéing, or blanching, and they can be added to various dishes from salads to stir-fries. They’re a great choice for preserving through canning or freezing, as they retain their flavor and texture well."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer