Royal Burgundy

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Velvety, inky pods—Royal Burgundy—arrive with a rich wine-deep color that practically glows in the garden, tender and crisp at harvest.

Expect a fine, meaty snap and a clean, bean-forward flavor that shines in quick skillet tosses, fresh pod platters, and vibrant pickling brines. Compact and dependable as a bush bean, it’s a standout for gardeners who want beauty and performance in just about 50 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Royal Burgundy

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)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	45
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These bush beans bring a meaty snap with a clean, bean-forward taste—so you want short heat and fast seasoning, not long simmering. The dark, Burgundy pods look like they’re wearing their flavor, holding color and structure in skillet heat or a sharp vinegar brine.

Best Uses

quick skillet tosses with butter/olive oil so the pods stay snappy
blanch-and-shock pod platters dressed with lemon and flaky salt
bright pickling brines for a deep-color, vinegar-forward bite
stir-fry style cooking where they finish just tender

Flavor Profile

inky, wine-deep bean flavor tender but crisp snap slightly earthy, green-bean clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon zest butter olive oil shallot red wine vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Watch for bean rust and common blights, especially if you see small brown/orange spots on leaves or water-soaked lesions that spread. Remove affected leaves early and water at the soil line (not overhead) to keep foliage dry, then improve airflow by thinning crowded plants. If disease keeps progressing, apply a copper-based fungicide labeled for beans and start before heavy spread for best control.

How often should I water Royal Burgundy beans during the main growing phase?

During flowering and pod set (roughly weeks 3–6), keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and wind. Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than light daily sprinkling, and stop short of letting plants wilt and fully dry out. If you’re growing in containers, check daily and water when the top 1 inch feels dry.

How can I tell when Royal Burgundy beans are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully formed but still tender, typically around 50 days after sowing, with pods snapping easily when bent. The seeds inside should be small-to-medium (you shouldn’t see bulging that makes pods feel tough). Pick regularly every 2–3 days once harvest begins to keep plants producing.