Marvel of Venice
Phaseolus vulgaris
Wikimedia Commons
Full of flavor, the 8-9" pods are 3/4" wide and borne on vigorous vines. This white-seeded variety is remarkably early (earlier than the black-seeded variety with the same name). Pole bean; requires trellising.
Harvest
54d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Marvel of Venice in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 bean →Zone Map
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Marvel of Venice · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
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 |
| Zone 1 | — | — | July – August | September – August |
| Zone 2 | — | — | June – August | September – September |
| Zone 11 | — | — | January – March | April – May |
| Zone 12 | — | — | January – March | April – May |
| Zone 13 | — | — | January – March | April – May |
Succession Planting
In zone 7, direct sow Marvel of Venice every 14–18 days from April 1 through June 15 and you'll pull harvests from July into August. Each sowing hits 54 days to harvest, so a planting on June 1 starts producing around late July — workable, but germination slows and bean rust (Uromyces appendiculatus) pressure spikes once nighttime temps stay above 70°F and humidity builds. Stop new sowings by mid-June to avoid pods setting during the worst of that window.
A second window opens in late July for a fall crop, targeting harvest before first frost (typically mid-October in zone 7). Sow by August 10 at the latest to give the plants their full 54 days. Cooler nights in September actually improve pod quality compared to the midsummer flush — the wax is cleaner and the pods hold longer on the vine without going fibrous.
Complete Growing Guide
Marvel of Venice beans are best started by direct sowing seed into warm soil after all danger of frost has passed. Since this variety matures in just 54 days, you have a generous window for planting, but seeds will rot if soil temperature falls below 60°F, so wait until the soil has warmed to at least 65°F. In most climates, this means sowing two to three weeks after your last spring frost date. You can also start seeds indoors four to five weeks before your last frost and transplant seedlings out once conditions warm, though direct sowing is more reliable for pole beans and reduces transplant shock.
Sow seeds one inch deep and space them four to six inches apart along your trellising structure. Since Marvel of Venice produces vigorous vines, thin seedlings to six to eight inches apart once they've developed their first true leaves, allowing room for the lush foliage to circulate air and dry quickly after rain. This variety prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter; work in compost or aged manure before planting, but avoid excessive nitrogen, which encourages leaf growth at the expense of flowering. A neutral to slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal.
Water consistently, providing one to one-and-a-half inches per week through drip irrigation or soaking the soil at the base rather than overhead watering, which promotes fungal issues on the dense foliage. During flowering and pod development, maintain even moisture; drought stress causes blossom drop and stunts the characteristic 8–9 inch pods. Feed every three weeks with a balanced fertilizer once flowering begins, though overfertilizing will delay pod set, so restraint is better than abundance.
Marvel of Venice's early maturity and white seed make it less susceptible to some common bean diseases than darker-seeded varieties, but watch for spider mites, which thrive in hot, dry conditions and can quickly colonize the vigorous foliage. Spray with insecticidal soap at the first sign of stippling on leaves. Powdery mildew can appear late in the season; ensure good air circulation around the trellis and remove lower leaves if humidity remains high.
Robust trellising is essential—use sturdy stakes, twine, or netting at least six feet tall, as these vigorous vines will quickly outgrow a flimsy support. Succession plant every two weeks through mid-summer for continuous harvests, though Marvel of Venice's 54-day timeline means your last sowing should occur at least eight weeks before your first expected fall frost.
The one thing gardeners most often overlook is harvesting frequently. Pick pods when they reach 8–9 inches but are still tender and snappable; delayed harvesting signals the plant to slow production. Harvest every two to three days during peak season to maintain peak flavor and encourage prolific fruiting throughout summer.
Harvesting
Marvel of Venice reaches harvest at 54 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 8-9" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.
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
Storage & Preservation
Marvel of Venice beans reach peak quality 54 days after planting and should be harvested when pods are tender and snap easily. Store fresh pods in a breathable bag within the refrigerator's crisper drawer at 45–50°F with moderate humidity; they'll keep for 5–7 days. For longer preservation, freezing works best—blanch pods for 3 minutes, shock in ice water, drain thoroughly, then pack into freezer bags, where they maintain quality for up to eight months. Canning as a whole-bean product requires a pressure canner due to low acidity; follow tested USDA guidelines carefully. Drying is also effective: mature dried beans store well in airtight containers at cool temperatures for a year or more. These beans have exceptionally thin, tender skins that split easily when overcooked, so blanch carefully and cool completely before freezing to preserve their delicate texture.
History & Origin
Marvel of Venice is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: Tropical America
Advantages
- +Exceptionally early maturity at 54 days for pole beans
- +Large 8-9 inch pods provide substantial harvests per plant
- +White seeds indicate milder flavor profile preferred by many
- +Vigorous vine growth ensures reliable production with proper support
- +Beginner-friendly variety with easy cultivation requirements
Considerations
- -Requires sturdy trellising or support structure for pole growth
- -White seed coat may be more susceptible to fungal diseases
- -Limited seed availability compared to more common bean varieties
- -Vigor requires consistent watering to prevent pod quality decline
Companion Plants
Corn is the strongest pairing — Marvel of Venice is a 6-to-8-foot pole bean and will climb corn stalks without a separate trellis, while its roots fix nitrogen via Rhizobium bacteria that feeds the heavy-feeding corn. Add summer squash and you've got the classic three-sisters layout; in our zone 7 Georgia gardens, that combination direct-sown in late April tends to hit its stride before the worst of the heat arrives. Marigolds and nasturtiums at the bed edges do real work against aphids and bean beetles by drawing in predatory wasps. Keep onions and garlic away — alliums are thought to suppress the same Rhizobium activity that makes growing a legume worthwhile in the first place.
Plant Together
Marigold
Repels bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Basil
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving bean flavor
Corn
Provides natural support structure for climbing beans in three sisters planting
Summer Squash
Ground cover reduces weeds and retains soil moisture for bean roots
Carrots
Beans fix nitrogen in soil which carrots utilize, while carrots don't compete for space
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting bean plants
Radishes
Break up compacted soil and mature quickly without competing with bean growth
Rosemary
Repels bean beetles and Mexican bean beetles with strong aromatic compounds
Keep Apart
Onions
Stunts bean growth through allelopathic compounds and root competition
Garlic
Inhibits bean germination and growth through sulfur compounds in soil
Sunflowers
Allelopathic effects inhibit bean growth and tall structure creates excessive shade
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Common Pests
Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites, bean weevils
Diseases
Bean rust, anthracnose, bean mosaic virus
Troubleshooting Marvel of Venice
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Leaves with ragged chunks missing, often starting around week 6–7, sometimes with a foul smell near the plants
Likely Causes
- Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) — larvae scrape the leaf undersides, adults chew clean holes
- Stink bugs (Euschistus spp.) — that olive-green, square-bodied insect congregating in groups is a giveaway; NC State Extension's IPM case studies specifically flag this on pole beans
What to Do
- 1.Hand-pick beetles and egg clusters from leaf undersides every 2–3 days and drop them in soapy water
- 2.For stink bugs, a vacuum collector or kaolin clay barrier applied to foliage can reduce feeding pressure — contact insecticides have limited effect on adults
- 3.Rotate beans to a different bed each season; planting in the same spot for 5+ years lets overwintering pest populations build, per NC State Extension's organic management guidance
Rust-colored to orange pustules on the undersides of leaves, with yellow halos visible from the top side
Likely Causes
- Bean rust (Uromyces appendiculatus) — a fungal disease that spreads fast in warm, humid conditions, which describes most of a Georgia summer
- Overhead irrigation or rain splash moving spores between plants
What to Do
- 1.Strip and bag affected leaves — don't compost them
- 2.Switch to drip or soaker-hose irrigation and water in the morning so foliage dries before evening; 1 inch per week at the root zone is sufficient for Marvel of Venice
- 3.If rust is severe and recurring, apply a sulfur-based fungicide on a 7–10 day schedule and rotate the bed out of beans for at least 2 seasons to reduce soilborne inoculum
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for Marvel of Venice beans to mature?▼
Is Marvel of Venice a good bean variety for beginners?▼
Can you grow Marvel of Venice beans in containers?▼
What do Marvel of Venice beans taste like?▼
When should I plant Marvel of Venice beans?▼
What kind of support do pole beans like Marvel of Venice need?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
- USDAUSDA FoodData Central
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.