Prizewinner

Family: Fabaceae Vegetable

Tender, ribbon-straight pods arrive in a showy cascade—bright, glossy green with a poised, slightly firm bite that stays pleasantly crisp as you harvest.

Prizewinner’s flavor is clean and sweet, with a bean-forward richness that shines whether you enjoy the pods fresh or let them turn silky in warm preparations. A standout for home gardens, this runner bean brings both vigor and beauty to the trellis, rewarding you with steady, colorful pod sets over a long season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Climbing

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	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Climbing
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Prizewinner runner beans give you a crisp, ribbon-straight texture and a sweet, bean-forward flavor that doesn’t go dull when you heat them. They’re at their best when you move fast—high heat, short time—so they stay snappy instead of turning soft and starchy.

Best Uses

quick blanch-and-sauté with garlic and olive oil
stir-fry or wok toss for a still-crisp bite
warm, buttery pods with lemon and herbs
pickled or lightly dressed warm sides that hold their crunch

Flavor Profile

clean sweet snap bean-forward richness bright, grassy freshness tender-ribbon texture that stays crisp

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon butter olive oil parmesan chickpeas

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common problem for Phaseolus coccineus (scarlet runner bean) and how do I treat it?

A frequent issue is bean rust (rust-colored pustules on leaves), which spreads quickly in warm, humid weather. Remove and discard affected leaves early, improve airflow with wider spacing, and avoid wetting foliage when watering. If problems persist, use a copper-based fungicide labeled for edible beans and reapply according to the label interval.

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

During active flowering and pod set (roughly after plants are established), keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split if rainfall is light. Water at the base and stop if the top few centimeters of soil stay wet, since runners dislike waterlogged roots. Consistent moisture helps prevent flowers from dropping and reduces tough, underfilled pods.

How can I tell when to harvest Phaseolus coccineus ‘Prizewinner’ pods?

Harvest when pods are firm and well-filled but still tender—typically around 70 days from sowing, earlier in warm conditions. Check for pods that snap slightly when bent and have small, immature beans you can press with a fingernail. If pods feel stringy or the seeds are hard and swollen, let them go a bit too long and they’ll become less pleasant to eat fresh.