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Provider Green Bush Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider'

The ultimate cool-weather tolerant green bean that extends your growing season at both ends, thriving in conditions that would stop other varieties cold. This reliable producer sets abundant crops of tender, flavorful pods even during cool, wet springs and can handle light frosts that would damage more tender beans.

Harvest

50-57d

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 Provider Green Bush Bean in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 bean →

Zone Map

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Provider Green Bush Bean · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Very Easy

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilAdaptable to most soil types, prefers well-drained

pH6.0-7.5

Water1 inch per week, tolerates variable moisture

SeasonCool to warm season

FlavorExcellent flavor, tender, crisp with good snap

ColorDark green pods

Size5-6 inches long

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 Provider beans store best in the refrigerator in perforated plastic bags, maintaining quality for 5-7 days. Don't wash before storing—moisture promotes decay. For optimal flavor and nutrition, use within 3 days of harvest.

For freezing, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 3 minutes, then plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and package in freezer bags. Provider's excellent texture makes it ideal for freezing, retaining good snap and flavor for 8-10 months.

For canning, use only tested recipes from the USDA or Ball canning guides, as green beans require pressure canning for safety. Provider's uniform pod size makes it excellent for canning whole or cut into pieces. The variety also air-dries well when harvested at full maturity with developed seeds inside.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Marigold

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

Basil

Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips that commonly attack beans

Carrot

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

Corn

Provides natural support structure and beans fix nitrogen for corn

Summer Squash

Large leaves provide ground cover, retain moisture, and suppress weeds

Cucumber

Compatible root systems and beans provide nitrogen that cucumbers need

Radish

Quick harvest before beans mature, helps break up soil compaction

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracts pollinators

Keep Apart

Onion

Inhibits bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions

Garlic

Allelopathic compounds can stunt bean growth and reduce yield

Fennel

Strong allelopathic effects inhibit germination and growth of beans

Sunflower

Competes heavily for nutrients and water, may release growth inhibitors

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

Excellent resistance to common bean mosaic virus and bacterial brown spot

Common Pests

Mexican bean beetle, aphids, thrips

Diseases

Anthracnose, white mold, bacterial blight

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Provider green bush beans take to grow?▼

Provider beans mature in 50-57 days from planting to first harvest. In cool conditions (50-60°F), they may take closer to 60 days, while warm weather can speed maturity to 50 days. The harvest period extends 3-4 weeks once pods begin forming, with regular picking every 2-3 days maintaining production.

Can you grow Provider beans in containers?▼

Yes, Provider beans excel in containers due to their compact 18-inch height and bushy growth habit. Use containers at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Plant 6-8 seeds per large container, spacing them 4 inches apart. Container growing actually benefits Provider beans by providing better drainage and soil temperature control.

Is Provider green bean good for beginners?▼

Provider is excellent for beginning gardeners because of its exceptional cold tolerance and disease resistance. It forgives common mistakes like planting too early or inconsistent watering better than other varieties. The compact plants require no staking, and the variety's reliability in challenging conditions makes it very forgiving for new gardeners.

What does Provider green bean taste like?▼

Provider beans have excellent flavor with a tender, crisp texture and satisfying snap. They taste fresh and sweet with a classic green bean flavor—not bitter or tough like some cold-hardy varieties. The pods maintain their tenderness longer than most varieties, staying sweet and crisp even when slightly overmature.

When should I plant Provider green bush beans?▼

Plant Provider beans 2-3 weeks before your last frost date when soil temperature reaches 50°F. This early planting takes advantage of Provider's unique cold tolerance. For succession crops, plant every 2-3 weeks through early summer. In zones 7-9, plant a fall crop 10-12 weeks before first frost.

Provider vs Blue Lake beans - what's the difference?▼

Provider excels in cool weather conditions and early season planting, while Blue Lake performs better in warm weather. Provider matures 7-10 days earlier and tolerates frost, but Blue Lake produces higher yields in hot climates. Provider has better disease resistance, while Blue Lake offers superior heat tolerance and consistent pod size.