Monte Gusto
Monte Gusto is a heirloom bean. Germination takes 7-14 days and fruit ripens from about day 58. Skin runs to golden yellow. Water need is regular, consistent moisture during growing season. Suits zones 2-11. Bush habit, so it needs no staking.

Sowing
Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm, or start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hours)
- Water
- Regular, consistent moisture during growing season
- Soil
- Well-drained, fertile soil with moderate organic matter
- Spacing
- 6 inches
- Height
- 6-8 feet
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Golden yellow
- Size
- 8-8 1/2"
- Shape
- Bush
- Flavour
- Elegant and refined flavor with superior taste compared to standard wax bean varieties.
In the kitchen
Steamed, sautéed, fresh, side dish, salads
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites
- Diseases
- Bacterial blight, powdery mildew, anthracnose
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | July – August | September – August |
| 2 | — | — | June – August | September |
| 3 | — | — | June – July | August – October |
| 4 | — | — | June – July | August – October |
| 5 | — | — | May – June | August – September |
| 6 | — | — | May – June | July – September |
| 7 | — | — | April – June | July – August |
| 8 | — | — | April – May | June – August |
| 9 | — | — | March – April | May – July |
| 10 | — | — | February – April | May – June |
| 11 | — | — | January – March | April – May |
| 12 | — | — | January – March | April – May |
| 13 | — | — | January – March | April – May |
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 Monte Gusto?
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 Monte Gusto suits these too.
- Detroit Dark Red Bush Bean 57 days
- Bush Kentucky Wonder 57 days
- Dragon's Tongue 57 days
- Amethyst 56 days
- Northeaster 56 days
- Borlotto Bush Bean 60 days