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Product Details
Product Details
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.
Your hardiness zone is
- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
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
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.
Sprouts in: 6–12 days
Plant Seeds (Depth): 1"
Space Seeds: 1 seed every 4"
Row Spacing: 24"
Thinning: Not required
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.
- Danielle R.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsMay 6, 2026100% germination
Every seed I planted germinated, and they look lovely. Looking forward to a great harvest.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningMay 6, 2026Hey Danielle,
We're absolutely thrilled to hear you got 100% germination from our Contender Bush Bean Seeds! That's exactly what we love to see - every single seed doing its job perfectly! We're so excited that your bean plants are looking lovely and that you're already looking forward to harvest time. There's nothing quite like fresh beans straight from your own garden! Thanks for sharing your growing success with us! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Olivia S.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsMay 2, 2026My favorite bush bean
I love these beans! Just as the name suggests, they produce so many beans!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningMay 4, 2026Hey Olivia,
We're so excited to hear the Contender Bush Bean Seeds are living up to their name for you! Contender beans are such reliable producers and we love that you're experiencing those impressive yields firsthand! It sounds like you've found your go-to bush bean variety. Thanks for sharing your wonderful growing experience with these prolific beans! Keep on growing 🌻️
- En e. j. c. L.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 starsApr 30, 2026Huge and gorgeous plants
Four days after sowing, 4/5 already germinated and I can see the fifth sprouting. They’re gorgeous and vigorous, with good soil, a bit of compost on top, a few hours of sun and I can see how this is going to be a good harvest already. Good quality seeds, 100% germination so far. Very happy with my choice 🌱
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningMay 4, 2026Hey En,
We love that our Contender Bush Bean Seeds are looking gorgeous and vigorous already, and it sounds like you've got the perfect setup with good soil, compost, and sun. With that kind of strong start, we totally agree you're looking at what's going to be an awesome harvest! Thanks for sharing how happy you are with the seed quality and your growing success! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Sandra A.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsJan 23, 20255 Stars
This was first time growing Contender beans and I was very excited. They all sprouted. I will buy from here again.
Thank you
- Dianna M.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsApr 23, 2026Best bush bean
This is the best yielding bush bean I’ve ever grown.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningMay 3, 2026Hey Dianna,
We're so happy to hear our Contender Bush Bean Seeds are the best yielding bush beans you've ever grown! Contender beans are such fantastic producers and they're known for their reliability and incredible harvests! There's nothing quite like having a steady supply of fresh, tender beans from your own garden throughout the growing season. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience and for giving these amazing beans such high praise! Keep on growing 🌻️
