Grown Contender Green Beans?

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Contender Green Beans — Brassicas

49-55days to harvest

7-10days to germinate

Z2–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

Container friendly

Sowing

Direct sow after soil temperature reaches 60°F and all danger of frost has passed. Plant 1-2 inches deep.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1 inch per week, avoid overhead watering
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with good organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 4-6 inches
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Dark green pods
Size: 5-6 inches long
Shape: Straight, cylindrical pods
Flavour: Sweet, tender, and crisp with mild bean flavor

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, steaming, stir-frying, freezing, canning, casseroles

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites, thrips
Diseases: Bacterial blight, rust, anthracnose, white mold
Resistance: Good resistance to common bean mosaic virus and powdery mildew

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
1	April – May	June – July	June – July	July – September
2	April – May	June – July	May – July	July – September
3	March – April	May – June	May – June	June – October
4	March – April	May – June	April – June	June – October
5	February – March	April – May	April – May	June – November
6	February – March	April – May	April – May	May – November
7	February – March	April – May	March – May	May – November
8	January – February	March – April	March – April	April – December
9	January	February – March	February – March	March – December
10	January	February – March	January – March	March – December
11	January	January – February	January – February	February – December
12	January	January – February	January – February	February – December
13	January	January – February	January – February	February – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

MarigoldsRepel bean beetles and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial predators

CarrotsImprove soil structure and don't compete for nutrients, beans provide nitrogen for carrots

NasturtiumsAct as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting beans

RadishesBreak up compacted soil and mature quickly without competing with beans

CornProvides natural support structure for climbing varieties and benefits from nitrogen fixation

Summer SquashLarge leaves provide ground cover and weed suppression, part of Three Sisters planting

RosemaryRepels bean beetles and other pests with aromatic oils

LettuceGrows well in bean shade and doesn't compete for root space

Avoid

OnionsInhibit growth and nitrogen fixation in bean roots through chemical compounds

GarlicStunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial root bacteria

FennelAllelopathic properties inhibit germination and growth of beans

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 31
Protein (g): 2.57
Fat (g): 0.34
Carbohydrate (g): 6.27
Fibre (g): 2.4
Vitamin A (µg): 8
Vitamin C (mg): 91.3
Vitamin E (mg): 0.15
Vitamin K (µg): 102
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.191
Folate (µg): 65
Calcium (mg): 46
Iron (mg): 0.69
Magnesium (mg): 21
Phosphorus (mg): 67
Potassium (mg): 303
Zinc (mg): 0.42
Selenium (µg): 1.6

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the brassicas growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Contender Green Beans?

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