Beans
54days to harvest
7-14 daysdays to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water
Regular
Soil
Well-drained soil
Spacing
4-6 inches
Height
6-8 feet
Season
Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Green pods
Size
8-9"
Shape
Long, slender pods
Flavour
Full flavored with tender, mild taste and excellent culinary qualities.

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, steaming, sautéing, cooking, bean salads

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites, bean weevils
Diseases
Bean rust, anthracnose, bean mosaic virus

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——July – AugustSeptember – August
2——June – AugustSeptember
3——June – JulyAugust – October
4——June – JulyAugust – October
5——May – JuneAugust – September
6——May – JuneJuly – September
7——April – JuneJuly – August
8——April – MayJune – August
9——March – AprilMay – July
10——February – AprilMay – June
11——January – MarchApril – May
12——January – MarchApril – May
13——January – MarchApril – May

Companion planting

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

MarigoldRepels bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving bean flavor
CornProvides natural support structure for climbing beans in three sisters planting
Summer SquashGround cover reduces weeds and retains soil moisture for bean roots
CarrotsBeans fix nitrogen in soil which carrots utilize, while carrots don't compete for space
NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting bean plants
RadishesBreak up compacted soil and mature quickly without competing with bean growth
RosemaryRepels bean beetles and Mexican bean beetles with strong aromatic compounds

Avoid

OnionsStunts bean growth through allelopathic compounds and root competition
GarlicInhibits bean germination and growth through sulfur compounds in soil
SunflowersAllelopathic effects inhibit bean growth and tall structure creates excessive shade

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

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 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 Marvel of Venice?

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 Marvel of Venice suits these too.

Browse all 84 beans