Beans

Basic Information

Seed Number

182

Seed Name

Beans

Variety

Contender

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Fabaceae

Plant Type

Bush snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Planting Method

Direct Sow

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

May 19

Last Recommended Planting Date

Aug 15

Plantable Months

May, June, July, August

Indoor Start

Not recorded

Direct Sow

May 19 – Aug 15

Transplant

Not Recommended

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

Not Recommended

Transplant Weeks After Frost

Not Recommended

Germination Days

3–10 days

Harvest/Maturity

50–55 days from direct seeding

Succession Planting

10 days

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

65°F+

Planting Depth

1/2-1 in

Plant Spacing

5-6 in

Row Spacing

18-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

5-6 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Maintain even moisture during flowering and pod production

Soil Preference

Well-drained soil with moderate fertility

Minimum Container Size

2-3 gal

Plant Height

About 18 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

Yes

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Gurney's; San Diego Seed Company; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Direct sow after soil warms
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jul 25
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 49–55 days
Container Friendly: Yes, 3–5+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Somewhat; mostly self-pollinating but flowers are visited by insects
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary bean
Perennial?: No; annual
Succession / Reusable Notes: Sow every 2–3 weeks for a longer harvest.
Zone 6B Notes: Wait for warm soil; bush beans mature quickly enough for several plantings in Zone 6B.
Companion Plants: Cucumbers, carrots, corn, squash, radishes, marigolds, nasturtiums
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Do not sow into cold, soggy soil. Watch bean beetles and fungal diseases; rotate legumes where practical.
Sources: Gurney's: https://www.gurneys.com/products/early_contender_bush_beans_ | San Diego Seed Company: https://sandiegoseedcompany.com/product/vegetables/beans/contender-bush-bean-seeds/ | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Contender's early maturity makes it excellent for both the first warm-soil planting and later summer succession crops in Southeast Michigan.
Germination: Direct sow after frost once soil reaches at least about 65°F.
Harvest: Pick approximately 6-inch green pods while tender and before seeds become prominent. Frequent picking encourages further pod production.
Seed Saving: Allow pods to become fully dry and brittle. Contender is an open-pollinated Phaseolus vulgaris bean.
Special Care: Compact bush plants are self-supporting and require no trellis. Contender is noted for reliable production in both cooler short-season regions and warm humid climates.
Research Source: San Diego Seed Company — https://sandiegoseedcompany.com/product/vegetables/beans/contender-bush-bean-seeds/ — 3-10 day germination, 50+ day maturity, 65°F minimum soil temperature, 1/2-inch depth, 18-inch height and 10-day succession interval
Research Source: Victory Seed Company — https://victoryseeds.com/products/contender-bush-green-bean — 55-day maturity, 6-inch pods and adaptation to both cool and warm climates
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]