We have some extremely dedicated green-bean-eaters here at my house. Green (or snap) beans are our go-to vegetable for sure, and we can’t grow enough of them. Whether they’re pole or bush beans, we plant as many varieties in our vegetable garden as possible. I have always felt that pole bean varieties have the most flavor. Couple that with the fact that they produce randomly all season long, and I’ve been hooked for years.
That said, I feel that I’ve done an injustice to bush beans by not giving them credit where credit is due. After further experimentation, I have decided that my judgment has been too severe about the short beans. As much as I adore the long-season bounty of poles, over the years we have tried various bush bean varieties in the potager.
And we liked them. Bush beans require no extra support and are ready for harvesting all at once, making them perfect for canning or freezing. We’ve also discovered that bush beans can have fabulous flavor (some that can even rival their pole counterparts). It’s all been rather impressive, and I’d like to share some of our favorite bush bean varieties.
Roma II ~ The original Roma is a delicious Italian classic pole bean. Roma II is the bush version of the same plant. Perfect for canning, they are stringless snap beans with tender, meaty, smooth, and flat pods. The plant is prolific and resistant to both mosaic and mildew mosaic. 55 days to harvest.
Maxibel ~ If you only get one bush bean variety, make it Maxibel. This is a full-size (7-inch pods) French filet bean that has straight, dark green pods. A very gourmet-type bean, Maxibel has a flavor that can’t be beat. 60 days to harvest.
Royal Burgundy ~ Plant Royal Burgundy in the garden if you want to give people something to talk about. Its 5-inch, stringless pods are a stunning deep purple until they’re cooked (then they turn green). Royal burgundy adapts to most garden environments, including cool areas. It’s also virus-resistant.
Dragon Tongue ~ Dragon Tongue is a stringless, Dutch wax heirloom. Pods are creamy yellow adorned with purple streaks. They’re not just another pretty face, however. Dragon Tongue has superb flavor, making it popular with chefs. It’s prolific too. 55 days to harvest.
Nickel ~ One of my very favorite green beans, Nickel is a French baby gourmet filet bean. The pods are 4 inches long, stringless, and delicious. It’s also resistant to white mold and brown spots. 52 days to harvest.
Jade ~ A super productive and flavorful bean that produces 5- to 7-inch-long slender, dark green pods. This particular bush bean variety tends to produce more than other bush varieties. 56 days to harvest.
Cupidon ~ Anyone who has grown the French filet Cupidon will claim that this is their favorite snap bean. It’s a truly prolific plant with 6- to 8-inch-long stringless pods that are loaded with flavor and are impossibly tender. Don’t miss out on this one. 55 days to harvest.
Bush Kentucky Wonder (Old Homestead) ~ Kentucky Wonder (or Old Homestead) is widely grown by home gardeners everywhere—and for good reason. It’s a big producer of 8-inch-long stringless and tender pods. Their flavor is excellent when they are eaten fresh or canned. 55 days to harvest.
Tendercrop ~ This is another reliable home garden variety that produces tender yet crisp, delicious pods. Another heavy-yielding variety, Tendercrop is especially suited for northern regions. 55 days to harvest.
Contender ~ Contender produces 6- to 8-inch-long round, stringless pods that offer fresh green bean flavor. It’s productive, produces early, and is heat and mildew tolerant. 45 days to harvest.
FAQs
Bush beans are a great option for a quick, easy snap bean harvest in a limited space. Most varieties grow to about two feet tall and don't require any trellising. The tradeoff is that usually bush beans produce just one or two flushes of beans, whereas pole beans will often keep producing over a longer season.
What are the best beans for beginner gardeners? ›
Bush beans are a great option for a quick, easy snap bean harvest in a limited space. Most varieties grow to about two feet tall and don't require any trellising. The tradeoff is that usually bush beans produce just one or two flushes of beans, whereas pole beans will often keep producing over a longer season.
What is the secret to growing bush beans? ›
Beans grow best in temperatures between 50 to 85°F, in full sun. Planting too early when the weather is wet and cooler than 55°F may cause your bean seeds to rot. Sow your bush beans 1 inch deep and 4 to 6 inches apart, with rows 18 to 24 inches apart. Beans have fragile roots, making transplanting them difficult.
What bush beans are stringless? ›
The Provider bean is a stringless, fast maturing bush bean. Provider beans can be planted earlier than other beans because it germinates well in cool soils. Provider has compact bean plants that are easy to establish and adapt well to diverse soil and climate conditions.
What not to plant with bush beans? ›
Do not plant beans near garlic, onions, chives, leeks, scallions, shallots, peppers, wormwood, fennel, or gladioli. Alliums such as garlic, onions, chives, leeks, scallions, and shallots will stunt the growth of the beans. Most plants dislike fennel, and it has an inhibiting effect on them.
What is the most productive bush bean? ›
Tendergreen Improved is one of the highest yielding beans around. The Tendergreen Improved bean plant is a widely adapted home garden variety. These bean plants will produce some of the highest bean yields you'll ever see.
Are pole beans or bush beans better? ›
If your garden bed is compact, plant bush beans; if your vegetable garden has a lot of space (especially vertical space), pole beans are a better option. Support needs: Since bush beans grow short and sturdy, they don't have any special support needs, while pole beans need a sturdy trellis or bamboo poles to grow up.
How many beans will one bush bean plant produce? ›
The average bush bean produces roughly a half-pound of fruit throughout an entire season. Climbing beans double that at nearly a full pound per season, but even so, you will want several plants to ensure a decent harvest.
Is Miracle Grow good for bush beans? ›
However, if you want a quick solution for fertilizing a large green bean garden, Miracle-Gro's All-Purpose product is an excellent choice.
Should bush beans be soaked in water before planting? ›
Examples of seeds that benefit from soaking include peas, beets, cucumber, corn, squash, pumpkin and beans. In a bowl, cover your seeds with warm water and leave to soak for 6-24 hours. Smaller seeds and those with thinner coats need the shorter time, and larger seeds with thicker coats need the longer period.
Maxibel ~ If you only get one bush bean variety, make it Maxibel. This is a full-size (7-inch pods) French filet bean that has straight, dark green pods. A very gourmet-type bean, Maxibel has a flavor that can't be beat.
Do bush beans need a trellis? ›
You don't need a trellis for bush beans, but you do need to provide some support. If bush beans are growing over the side of a raised bed, you can allow them to cascade over naturally from the weight of the beans.
Do bush beans keep producing all summer? ›
Bush beans – Plants are small, compact (in the two-feet range), and mature more quickly, some within 50 days – so you can start them from seed for much of the summer. They produce most of their crop at once, though the plants will keep producing if you keep them well-harvested.
Are coffee grounds good for bush beans? ›
Consider using coffee grounds as a fertilizer on tomatoes, cabbage, soybeans, fruit trees, corn, roses and camellias. However, don't use directly on the soil when you are growing beans or bean-related plants.
What is a good companion plant for green beans? ›
Growing Beans – Companion Plants
In addition to the Three Sisters (beans, corn, and squash), other plants that thrive alongside beans are cucumber, eggplant, radishes, marigold, nasturtium, rosemary, and potato, which deter pests and improve flavor.
What are the best beans for beginners? ›
Robusta beans come from a robust crop and are ideal in terms of functionality. You'll get a strong hearty coffee from Robusta beans, but for beginners who are in the early stages of their coffee journey Arabica beans will likely be the preferred option.
What type of bean is easiest to grow? ›
Asparagus beans are easily grown, produce heavily, harvest easily, thrive in hot weather, when snap beans may not produce, are slightly more resistant to drought than snap beans, are much more resistant to bean beetles, and are tolerant of a wide range of soils.
What are the easiest beans to grow in pots? ›
Bush green beans do well in containers as small as 8" deep and 8" wide per plant. Try 'Bush Blue Lake' or 'Contender' for good flavor and consistent production. Pole beans need a larger container and a sturdy trellising system. 'Cherokee Trail of Tears' can be grown both for fresh green bean or as a dry bean.
What are the easiest beans to eat? ›
Buy The Most Digestible Beans With Lower Lectin Levels
If you are sensitive to beans but still want to reap all the benefits, lentils, mung beans, and black-eyed beans are your best bet.
