King Of The Early

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Aromatically earthy and richly satisfying, King Of The Early dry beans bring a deep, nutty flavor with a clean, steady finish.

The seeds are prized for their even, uniform size and a firm, meaty texture that holds its character beautifully from pantry to pot. Grow this heirloom for a swift 55-day harvest window—ideal for gardeners who want dependable results and a harvest that feels truly rewarding.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of King Of The Early

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 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

King Of The Early is built for the long simmer: it develops a savory, nutty aroma while staying firm—no mushy slide—so it holds its own in thick soups and bean bakes. Use bold aromatics (onion/garlic/bay) and a little fat to round the earthiness into something deeply satisfying.

Best Uses

thick, slow-simmered bean soups with a spoon-tender bite
pot of beans that stay intact for grain bowls
bean-forward cassoulet-style bakes with browned aromatics
purées like hummus-adjacent bean spreads with a velvety body

Flavor Profile

deep nutty earthiness clean, steady savoriness firm meaty bean texture aromatically rich finish

Kitchen Pairings

onion garlic smoked pork bay leaf tomato olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most common on Phaseolus vulgaris (green snap beans), and how do I treat it?

Watch for rust and fungal leaf spotting, which often show up as brown/orange specks or scattered lesions after humid weather. Remove affected leaves early, improve airflow with wider spacing and full-sun drying, and water at the soil line instead of overhead. If it’s spreading, use a labeled copper-based fungicide for beans and reapply according to the label interval.

How often should I water Phaseolus vulgaris during the main growing phase (from flowering through pod fill)?

Keep soil evenly moist—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week total, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or windy. Don’t let the top few inches dry out once flowers set, but also avoid soggy soil because that can reduce pod quality and invite disease. A simple check: if the soil 1–2 inches down is dry, water deeply until it’s moist throughout the root zone.

How can I tell when Phaseolus vulgaris (snap beans) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are tender and crisp, before seeds bulge—typically around 55 days from sowing for “early” types. Look for pods that snap cleanly when bent, with pods about finger-thickness (varies by variety but should feel firm yet not fat). Pick every 1–2 days once producing, because beans quickly move from tender to tough.