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Black Valentine Bush Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Black Valentine'

A reliable heirloom bush bean prized for its exceptional cold tolerance and ability to produce in less-than-ideal conditions. This hardy variety has been a garden staple since the early 1900s, producing abundant crops of tender green pods even in cool weather. Black Valentine is the go-to choice for northern gardeners and anyone wanting a dependable, no-fuss bean variety.

Harvest

50-60d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Very Easy

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Black Valentine Bush Bean in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 bean →

Zone Map

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Black Valentine Bush Bean · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Very Easy

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilAdaptable to most soil types, tolerates poor soil

pH6.0-7.5

Water1 inch per week, drought tolerant once established

SeasonCool to warm season

FlavorClassic green bean flavor, slightly more robust than modern varieties

ColorDark green pods

Size5-6 inch pods

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	August – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	August – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	August – September
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	July – September
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	July – August
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	June – August
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	May – July
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	May – June

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Rattlesnake'Pole Snap Bean, 'Rattlesnake'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The boat-shaped seed pods are bilaterally symmetrical and can be green, yellow, white, or purple at maturity. There is a wide variety of color and shape choices among cultivars.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Purple/Lavender, White. Type: Legume. Length: > 3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible, Good Dried

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Black Valentine beans store best in the refrigerator crisper drawer in a perforated plastic bag for 7-10 days. Don't wash before storing—moisture promotes decay. For longer storage, these beans excel at both freezing and canning due to their slightly firmer texture compared to modern varieties.

For freezing, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 3 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and pack in freezer bags—they'll maintain quality for 8-12 months. Black Valentine's robust texture holds up particularly well to freezing.

For canning, process using the standard green bean method with a pressure canner (never water bath). Cut into 1-inch pieces and process pints for 20 minutes at 11 pounds pressure. The variety's firm texture makes it ideal for traditional canned green bean preparations that won't turn mushy.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters bean beetles

Carrots

Helps loosen soil for bean roots and doesn't compete for nitrogen

Corn

Provides natural support structure and benefits from nitrogen fixation

Summer Squash

Large leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, part of Three Sisters planting

Cucumber

Compatible root systems and both benefit from similar growing conditions

Radishes

Quick harvest doesn't compete long-term and helps break up soil

Rosemary

Repels bean beetles and other pests with aromatic compounds

Marigold

Repels Mexican bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Keep Apart

Onions

Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through allelopathic compounds

Garlic

May stunt bean growth and interfere with beneficial rhizobia bacteria

Sunflowers

Allelopathic effects can reduce bean germination and growth

Nutrition Facts

Protein

1.97g(4%)

Fiber

3.01g(11%)

Carbs

7.41g(3%)

Fat

0.275g(0%)

Vitamin K

43.9mcg(37%)

Iron

0.652mg(4%)

Calcium

40mg(3%)

Potassium

290mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Very good cold tolerance and general disease resistance

Common Pests

Bean leaf beetles, aphids, cucumber beetles, flea beetles

Diseases

Rust, bacterial blight, bean common mosaic (generally resistant)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Black Valentine bush bean take to grow?▼

Black Valentine beans mature in 50-60 days from planting to first harvest. The concentrated harvest period typically lasts 2-3 weeks, with peak production occurring around day 55. This makes it one of the earlier-maturing bush bean varieties, perfect for northern gardens with shorter growing seasons.

Can you grow Black Valentine beans in containers?▼

Yes, Black Valentine beans grow well in containers at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Use a container with drainage holes and quality potting mix. Plant 4-6 seeds per large container, spacing them 6 inches apart. Container-grown plants may need more frequent watering but will produce just as well as garden-planted beans.

Is Black Valentine bean good for beginners?▼

Black Valentine is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its forgiving nature and cold tolerance. It adapts to poor soils, tolerates planting mistakes like early sowing, and produces reliably even with inconsistent care. The main challenge is harvesting frequently enough to prevent pods from becoming tough.

What does Black Valentine bean taste like?▼

Black Valentine beans have a classic, robust green bean flavor that's slightly more intense than modern varieties. The texture is firm and meaty, holding up well to longer cooking methods. Many gardeners describe the flavor as 'old-fashioned' green bean taste with excellent substance and body.

When should I plant Black Valentine beans?▼

Plant Black Valentine beans 2-3 weeks before your last expected frost date when soil temperature reaches 45°F. This variety's exceptional cold tolerance allows earlier planting than most beans. In most areas, this means mid to late April, depending on your zone and local conditions.

Black Valentine vs Provider beans - what's the difference?▼

Black Valentine offers superior cold tolerance and earlier planting capability, while Provider has better disease resistance and higher yields. Black Valentine has more robust flavor and better texture for preservation, but Provider produces over a longer season. Choose Black Valentine for early harvests and canning, Provider for continuous fresh eating.