Northeaster
Northeaster is a flat, 8 inches long, 1 inch wide bean with fruit around 8". Ready from roughly day 56. Germination takes 7-10 days. Space 4-6 inches along trellis apart. Full sun (6+ hours).
Sowing
Direct sow outdoors after last frost when soil reaches 60°F (ideally 65-70°F); soak seeds overnight before planting
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hours)
- Water
- Regular; 1-1.5 inches per week with consistent moisture during flowering and pod development
- Soil
- Well-draining loam enriched with compost; slightly acidic to neutral preferred
- Spacing
- 4-6 inches along trellis
- Height
- 6-8 feet
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Bright green
- Size
- 8"
- Shape
- Flat, 8 inches long, 1 inch wide
- Flavour
- Rich, complex sweet flavor with subtle buttery and nutty undertones; tender and crisp when properly harvested
In the kitchen
Steamed as a side dish, sautéed with garlic and oil, stir-fried, roasted, added to soups or salads, blanched and frozen
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Bean beetles, spider mites, aphids, thrips
- Diseases
- Powdery mildew, rust, bean mosaic virus, 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 Northeaster?
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 Northeaster suits these too.
- Amethyst 56 days
- Affirmed 56 days
- Bush Kentucky Wonder 57 days
- Dragon's Tongue 57 days
- Purple Podded Bush Bean 55 days
- Jade Bush Bean 55 days