Derby

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Tender, stringless pods arrive with a crisp, snap and a clean, sweet-bean flavor that feels bright from the first bite.

Derby’s compact bush habit makes it easy to grow in tidy rows, producing an abundance of deep green, uniformly sized beans with a smooth, satiny surface. Ideal for fresh use and quick roasting, Derby also shines in vibrant salads and hearty skillet-style mixes, as well as for preserving when you want that garden-fresh taste on hand.

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

Derby’s stringless, uniformly tender pods make it a “no dead time” bean—heat it fast, keep it crisp, and let the clean sweetness do the talking. It plays especially well with bright fat (olive oil or butter) and an acid like lemon, so the pods stay snappy instead of going soft.

Best Uses

hot quick-roast on a sheet pan until edges blister and pods stay crisp
tossed in a still-warm salad to hold crunch against vinaigrette
stir-fry or quick skillet sizzle with garlic and a glossy finish
blanched and preserved for snappy, fresh-tasting pantry sides

Flavor Profile

crisp snap clean sweet-bean flavor tender, lightly vegetal sweetness smooth, satiny pod texture

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil parmesan butter shallot

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Phaseolus vulgaris (Derby beans), and what should I do?

Watch for common bacterial blight and rust-like leaf spots, which often show up after warm, humid weather and splashy watering. Remove and discard infected leaves, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and avoid overhead irrigation to slow spread. If problems persist, start fresh from clean seed and keep plants spaced for fast drying between waterings.

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

During flowering and pod fill (roughly weeks 3–7), keep the soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged. Aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week total, adjusting to heat so the top 1 inch of soil doesn’t dry out. Water deeply after checking moisture, and stop the “dry-out then flood” cycle that can cause poor pod set.

How can I tell when Derby (Phaseolus vulgaris) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are young and tender—typically around 45–50 days after sowing—before seeds fully harden. Pods should snap easily and feel firm but not bulging, and you should be able to press a seed through the pod skin with minimal resistance. For the best flavor and continued production, pick every 1–3 days once they start producing.