Fordhook 242
Fordhook 242: 85 days to harvest, 7-10 days to germinate, 4-6 inches between plants, hardy in zones 1-11. Give it full sun and regular, consistent moisture water. Bush habit, so it needs no staking.

Sowing
Direct sow after last frost when soil temperature is 60°F or higher
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Regular, consistent moisture
- Soil
- Well-drained, fertile soil
- Spacing
- 4-6 inches
- Height
- 18-24 inches
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Green
- Shape
- Bush
- Flavour
- Delicious, mild bean flavor with tender pods and large seeds
In the kitchen
Fresh eating, steaming, boiling, sautéing, freezing
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Bean beetles, spider mites, aphids
- Diseases
- Anthracnose, bean rust, powdery mildew
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | — | — | June – August | October – September |
| 3 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| 4 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| 5 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| 6 | — | — | May – June | August – October |
| 7 | — | — | April – June | August – September |
| 8 | — | — | April – May | July – September |
| 9 | — | — | March – April | June – August |
| 10 | — | — | February – April | June – July |
| 11 | — | — | January – March | May – June |
| 12 | — | — | January – March | May – June |
| 13 | — | — | January – March | May – June |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Protein (g)
- 1.97
- Fat (g)
- 0.275
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 7.41
- Fibre (g)
- 3.01
- Vitamin K (µg)
- 43.9
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.121
- Calcium (mg)
- 40
- Iron (mg)
- 0.652
- Magnesium (mg)
- 28.2
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 41.2
- Potassium (mg)
- 290
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.35
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Fordhook 242?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other beans with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Fordhook 242 suits these too.
- Karikachi 85 days
- Red Noodle 85 days
- Lima King of the Garden Pole 85 days
- Vermont Cranberry Bush Bean 85 days
- Jacob's Cattle Bush Bean 85 days
- Cherokee Trail of Tears 85 days