Skip to product information
1 of 6

Contender Bush Bean Seeds

Contender Bush Bean Seeds

SKU:3034

Organic
4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
28

Why is this bean called 'Contender'? Because it vies for the number one spot among beans! And rightly it should; a stringless favorite since 1949, it produces after only 50 days from sowing, and tolerates heat and powdery mildew where other varieties suffer. Disease resistant.

Regular price $3.49
Regular price Sale price $3.49
Sale Sold out

~20.0 g

(~48 seeds)

Shipping calculated at checkout.
View full details
  • Variety Info
  • Sowing Info
  • Growing Info
  • Learn More

Variety Info

Days to Maturity: 50 days

Family: Fabaceae

Type: Snap Bean, Bush Bean (Learn More)

Native: Mexico and South America

Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual

Exposure: Full sun

Plant Dimensions: 12"–20" tall, wide

Variety Info: 6"–8" long, round-oval, slightly curved pods. Also resistant to common bean mosaic virus.

Attributes: Powdery Mildew Resistant, Bean Mosaic Virus Resistant, Heat Tolerant, Frost Sensitive

Non GMO Project

Sowing Info

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 65°F, ideally 70°–85°F. Successive Sowings: Every 7 to 14 days up to 80 days before your average first fall frost date. NOTE: In very hot summer areas, skip sowing as high heat approaches; temperatures consistently above 90°F will prevent beans from forming.

When to Start Inside: Not recommended.

Days to Emerge: 6–12 days

Seed Depth: 1"

Seed Spacing: 1 seed every 4"

Row Spacing: 24"

Thinning: Not required

Your hardiness zone is

Growing Info

Harvesting: Snap beans are ready to pick when the pod "snaps" or breaks in half cleanly. This is when the seeds have just begun to form and the pods are several inches long (depending on the variety). Hold the stem with one hand, and the pod with the other hand to avoid pulling off branches, which will continue to produce. At season's end, plants are great compost material if they are disease-free.

Learn More

Because bush beans were developed from pole beans (for condensed and easier harvests), sometimes they can revert to some of the traits of their predecessors by stretching and getting a little lanky before settling into more of a compact bush habit. Thus, why your bush bean appears to be a pole bean.

Bean: Sow and Grow Guide
Edibles for Partial Shade
4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
Based on 28 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 25 Total 4 star reviews: 2 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 1 Total 1 star reviews: 0
Slide 1 selected
Rating
Ratings
Which best describes you as a gardener?
Which best describes you as a gardener?
28 reviews
  • Karen C.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    2/26/25
    5 Stars

    These beans grew and grew and grew. I had trouble keeping up with them, actually. I hope to grow more this year and actually do better at harvesting them.

  • Sandra A.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1/23/25
    5 Stars

    This was first time growing Contender beans and I was very excited. They all sprouted. I will buy from here again.

    Thank you

  • Elizabeth N.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1/18/25
    5 Stars

    Great seeds!

  • Diana P.
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    10/15/24
    5 Stars

    I bought these bush bean seeds from BI. Three harvests in the month of July during very hot weather! Mid august I went to pull the plants so I could resow for fall and they were loaded with blooms! Three more harvests off those same plants! Incredible! Idk if this is normal or just a fluke of the weird dummer we had but I’m impressed.

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate
  • Dianna C.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    10/15/24
    5 Stars

    I always get the best germination and production from Botanical Interests seeds.

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Professional