Nickel

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweetly fragrant and vividly tender, Nickel bush beans arrive in a steady wave of crisp, slender pods with a clean, bright green glow.

Their flavor is delicately sweet with a fine, snap-to-the-fork texture that holds beautifully from garden to table, making them a favorite for everyday harvests. Grow Nickel for reliable, uniform performance in a compact habit—ideal for fresh use and quick pickling, as well as vibrant stir-fries and garden-fresh sides.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 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 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)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	45
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Nickel bush beans are built for the shortest heat and the brightest dressing—tender pods with that reliable snap that doesn’t turn mushy. Hit them with garlic, lemon, and a little fat (brown butter or olive oil) and they taste sweet, crisp, and vividly green all the way through.

Best Uses

quick stir-fries where they stay snappy
blanched and dressed with lemony vinaigrette
hot-steamed sides finished with brown butter
quick pickles for crisp, lightly sweet bite

Flavor Profile

delicate sweetness clean, bright green snap lightly vegetal, subtly fragrant

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon brown butter chile flakes soy sauce parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) like 'Nickel,' and what should I do?

A frequent problem is bean rust or leaf spots, often showing as small brown/orange spots or blotches on leaves. Remove infected leaves early, keep foliage as dry as possible by watering at the base, and improve airflow by spacing plants so leaves aren’t touching. If spotting spreads quickly, switch to a protective copper-based fungicide and follow the label at the first sign of symptoms.

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

During pod formation (roughly mid-season to harvest), keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water deeply to wet the root zone, then allow the top 1 inch of soil to slightly dry before watering again. Inconsistent moisture can trigger flower drop and undersized pods.

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

Harvest when pods are fully formed but still tender: they should snap easily and the seeds inside should be small and not hard. For bush types like this, start checking around day 55 and harvest every 2–3 days because pods can quickly become tough. If you can dent a seed through the pod, it’s usually the right stage for eating fresh or for processing as snap beans.