Contender

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Tender, stringless pods of Contender arrive with a crisp, juicy snap and a rich, classic green color that looks as good as it tastes.

The beans hold their sweetness and fine texture through harvest, making them ideal for quick, reliable picking in the garden—whether you’re enjoying them straight from the plant or using them to brighten sautés, skillet dishes, and vibrant sauces. Contender’s compact bush habit keeps plants tidy and productive, so you can fill the basket with confidence in about 50 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Bush

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Contender beans hit the sweet spot for fast cooking: they stay crisp and juicy without turning mealy or stringy. Use them like a cooking “accent”—they should arrive at the plate with snap, then fade into butter-lemon gloss or a garlicky stir-fry without losing their green sheen.

Best Uses

high-heat sauté with garlic until blistered but still crisp
steaming then tossing with butter and lemon zest
stir-fry where pods stay glossy and hold their shape
quick pickle or “fridge” brine for crisp tangy beans

Flavor Profile

sweet snap tender-firm, stringless bite bright vegetal green taste quick-cooking, lightly grassy finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon butter olive oil toasted almonds parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) and how can I control it?

Watch for bean rust and fungal leaf spotting, especially when leaves stay wet; symptoms start as small tan to brown spots that spread and yellow foliage. Improve airflow, water at the soil line (not overhead), and remove heavily infected leaves early. If problems persist, use a labeled copper-based fungicide and repeat according to the label during active spread.

How often should I water Phaseolus vulgaris during the main growing phase?

During flowering and pod fill, keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, increasing to maintain moisture during hot spells. Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than daily misting, and stop if water runs off or the soil stays soggy. Mulch lightly to reduce drying so pods set evenly.

How do I tell when Phaseolus vulgaris ‘Contender’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest green pods when they’re fully green and crisp, roughly pencil-thick (about 4–6 mm), before seeds bulge noticeably. Most home plantings are ready around 50 days from sowing, but check pods starting once plants begin setting heavily. Pick every 1–2 days at peak production to keep new pods coming.