Grown Romano Italian Bush Bean?

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Romano Italian Bush Bean — Beans

50-60days to harvest

7-10days to germinate

Z2–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow 1-2 weeks after last frost when soil temperature reaches 60°F. Plant seeds 1 inch deep. Make successive plantings every 2-3 weeks.

Cultivation

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

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Medium green pods
Size: 5-7 inches long, 1 inch wide
Shape: Broad, flat, and meaty pods
Flavour: Rich, earthy, and robust with a meaty texture and intense bean flavor

In the kitchen

Sautéed with garlic and olive oil, braised in tomato sauce, grilled, or steamed. Excellent in Italian dishes and Mediterranean cooking.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Mexican bean beetle, bean leaf beetle, aphids
Diseases: Bacterial blight, anthracnose, white mold
Resistance: Good general disease resistance, some tolerance to common bean mosaic virus

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.

MarigoldRepels bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving bean flavor

CarrotsDifferent root depths prevent competition and carrots help loosen soil for bean roots

LettuceProvides living mulch, conserves soil moisture, and utilizes different soil nutrients

RadishesQuick-growing ground cover that deters cucumber beetles and improves soil structure

Summer SavoryRepels bean beetles and aphids while potentially enhancing bean growth and flavor

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while attracting beneficial predatory insects

CornProvides natural support structure for climbing varieties and different nutrient requirements

Avoid

OnionsInhibits bean growth through allelopathic compounds and competes for similar soil nutrients

GarlicStunts bean growth through natural growth inhibitors released by roots

FennelProduces allelopathic chemicals that inhibit germination and growth of beans

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.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Romano Italian Bush Bean?

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