Contender bean plants with slender green pods beneath broad leaves — from BlackOwnedSeeds.com.

Contender Bush Beans Heirloom Seeds

$3.50 $3.99
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Contender bean plants with slender green pods beneath broad leaves — from BlackOwnedSeeds.com.
H
B FS
  • Contender bean plants with slender green pods beneath broad leaves — from BlackOwnedSeeds.com.
    H
    B FS
  • Pale bean blossoms and developing green pods among leaves.
    H
    B FS
  • Young bean plants growing in black fabric pots on a wooden platform.
    H
    B FS
  • Contender bean plants with slender green pods beneath broad leaves — from BlackOwnedSeeds.com.
  • Pale bean blossoms and developing green pods among leaves.
  • Young bean plants growing in black fabric pots on a wooden platform.
Contender Bush Beans Heirloom Seeds

Contender Bush Beans Heirloom Seeds

$3.50 $3.99

Contender is a bush snap bean with green pods for fresh meals. Pick regularly while the pods are tender and before the seeds become prominent.

Packet: 15 seeds

Planting at a glance

  • Season: Warm season
  • Start: Direct sow
  • Seed depth: 1–1½ inches
  • Germination: Usually 8–10 days around 70–80°F
  • Final spacing: Sow and thin to about 2–4 inches; rows about 18 inches apart
  • Light: Full sun
  • Harvest planning: Typical crop window: 45–60 days from direct sowing

When to plant

Plant outdoors after frost danger passes and the soil has warmed. In short-season areas, count back from your intended outdoor planting date for indoor starts. South Florida outdoor window: September–April.

How to plant

  1. Prepare loose, well-drained soil or a clean seed-starting mix. Direct sow.
  2. Sow 1–1½ inches deep. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings emerge. Then water when the soil needs it, allowing excess water to drain.
  3. Thin or transplant to the listed final spacing. Give seedlings sufficient light and check moisture as roots establish.

How to harvest

Pick snap-bean pods while tender and before seeds swell strongly. Keep picking to encourage further pods.

Aunt E’s tip: Bush beans generally do not need a pole trellis. Give the row enough room for easy picking.

Growing notes and sources

Timing is a planning range, not a guaranteed harvest date. Temperature, moisture, variety and season affect the result. Count from the sowing or transplanting point stated above.

UF/IFAS planting guide · Iowa State germination guide

Grow with Aunt E

Seed light and growing light: Cover these seeds at the depth on this listing; they do not need surface light to germinate. After sprouting, the leaves need good growing light.

Read the beginner growing guide · Compare the types and varieties · Get the germination instructions

Seed badges at a glance

H
Heirloom
★
Hybrid
OG
Organic seed
CT
Cool season
WS
Warm season
FS
Full sun
P
Container friendly
SS
Small space
CC
Cut and come again
FH
Frequent harvest
LG
Needs light to germinate
SP
Spicy / hot
More seed codes
IN
Start indoors
SH
Partial or afternoon shade
ST
Support or trellis helpful
D
Dwarf
B
Bush habit
V
Vining or climbing
SV
Shorter vines
SF
Small fruit
LC
Large container
F
Fast harvest
FL
Flowers
PW
Pollinator interest
PL
Check pollination needs
MX
Seed mix
DR
Deep root space
WD
Well-drained soil
DL
Daylength sensitive
LS
Long growing season
TR
Tree crop

CC means cut and come again; FH means frequent harvest. Follow the crop instructions for what to harvest and when. OG appears only for documented organic seed. Codes are shortcuts; product details explain growing needs.

Open the gardening dictionary

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