Beans
85days to harvest
7-10 daysdays to germinate
Z1–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty

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

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
2——June – AugustOctober – September
3——June – JulySeptember – October
4——June – JulySeptember – October
5——May – JuneSeptember – October
6——May – JuneAugust – October
7——April – JuneAugust – September
8——April – MayJuly – September
9——March – AprilJune – August
10——February – AprilJune – July
11——January – MarchMay – June
12——January – MarchMay – June
13——January – MarchMay – June

Companion planting

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

MarigoldRepels bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters bean beetles
CornProvides natural support structure for climbing beans in three sisters planting
SquashGround cover suppresses weeds and retains soil moisture for beans
CarrotsBeans fix nitrogen in soil which carrots utilize, carrots loosen soil for bean roots
CucumberBoth benefit from similar growing conditions and beans provide nitrogen
Summer SavoryRepels bean beetles and aphids, may improve bean flavor and growth
RadishQuick-growing radishes break up soil for bean roots and deter bean fly

Avoid

OnionStunts bean growth and development through root competition and allelopathic compounds
GarlicInhibits bean germination and growth through sulfur compounds in soil
FennelReleases allelopathic chemicals that inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation

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

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

DarkGrow forum

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.

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