Packed in Resealable Long Life Mylar
Moisture Proof Packets
10+ Year Survival Seed Viability

• Category: Vegetable
• Type: Bean
• Variety: Contender (Bush)
• Family: Legumes
• Botanical Name: Phaseolus Vulgaris
• Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
• Growing Difficulty:  4
• Soil PH:  5.8 to 6.5
• Fertilizer Requirements:  5-10-10
• Soil Type: Moist, Well-Draining
• Germination (days): 6 – 10   
• Soil Temp for Germination: 60 – 80°F
• Lighting Conditions: Full Sun
• Days to Maturity:  40 – 50
• Planting Depth:  1”
• Distance Apart (in row):  2”
• Row Spacing: 24-36”

Sowing Instructions

DIRECT SOW AFTER DANGER OF LAST FROST

Starting Indoors

2-3 WEEKS BEFORE DANGER OF LAST FROST

Growing Tips

Plant seeds about 1 to 1.5 inches deep. You may go as deep as 2 inches when sowing in the summer for a fall crop. After germination, thin plants to 4 inches apart (keep strongest starts).

Culinary Uses

Early maturing stringless bush bean that produces a huge yield of tender beans. Great for fresh cooking, canning, or freezing.

Harvesting Crops

The contender bean will mature about a week earlier than most other bean varieties. It is best to pick them when they are about 5" long. Although they will grow to around 8", they are most tender when picked before fully mature.

Harvesting Seed

Select a couple of plants to use as seed stock. Allow these beans to fully mature to around 8" in total length. Once they reach their full length, allow the bean pods to dry completely on the plant.

The bean pods will turn a light brown color and the seeds will rattle on the inside. After they completely dry, crack open the bean pods and store the seeds in a cool dry place for planting next season.