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Beans · Phaseolus vulgaris 'Purple Top'

Purple Top Bush Bean

Purple Top Bush Bean is a heirloom bean. Germination takes 7-10 days and fruit ripens from about day 55-60. Skin runs to green pods with purple streaking. Water need is 1 inch per week, avoid overhead watering. Suits zones 2-11. It will crop in a container.

Beans
55-60days to harvest
7-10days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow after last frost when soil temperature is at least 60°F. Plant 1-2 inches deep.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water
1 inch per week, avoid overhead watering
Soil
Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
4-6 inches
Season
Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Green pods with purple streaking
Size
4-5 inches long
Shape
Flat, wide pods
Flavour
Mild, sweet flavor when young, nutty when dried

In the kitchen

Fresh snap beans, steaming, boiling. Mature seeds excellent for soups and stews.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Mexican bean beetle, aphids, thrips, seed corn maggot
Diseases
Bean common mosaic virus, bacterial blight, powdery mildew
Resistance
Moderate disease resistance typical of heirlooms

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.

MarigoldsRepel bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
NasturtiumsAct as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel bean beetles
CarrotsBeans improve soil nitrogen for carrots, carrots don't compete for space
CornProvides natural support structure for climbing varieties and wind protection
SquashPart of Three Sisters planting, large leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture
RadishesBreak up compacted soil, mature quickly before beans need full space
LettuceBenefits from nitrogen fixation, provides living mulch, different root depths
Summer SavoryImproves bean flavor and growth, repels bean beetles and aphids

Avoid

OnionsCan stunt bean growth and inhibit nitrogen fixation by beneficial bacteria
SunflowersAllelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth
FennelInhibits growth of most garden plants including beans through allelopathy

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
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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.

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Other beans with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Purple Top Bush Bean suits these too.

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