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Contender Green Beans

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Contender'

A reliable bush bean that's perfect for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. This hardy variety produces abundant yields of tender, stringless pods even in cool weather conditions. Contender's compact growth habit and disease resistance make it an excellent choice for home gardens with limited space.

Harvest

49-55d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Contender Green Beans in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 brassica →

Zone Map

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Contender Green Beans · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, avoid overhead watering

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet, tender, and crisp with mild bean flavor

ColorDark green pods

Size5-6 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	March – April	May – June	May – June	June – October
Zone 4	March – April	May – June	April – June	June – October
Zone 5	February – March	April – May	April – May	June – November
Zone 6	February – March	April – May	April – May	May – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	March – May	May – November
Zone 8	January – February	March – April	March – April	April – December
Zone 9	January – January	February – March	February – March	March – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	January – March	March – December

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 Contender beans stay crisp for 5-7 days in the refrigerator when stored unwashed in perforated plastic bags. Avoid washing until ready to use, as excess moisture causes rapid deterioration.

For freezing, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 3 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in portions you'll use within 8-10 months. Contender's tender texture makes it excellent for freezing—unlike tougher varieties, it maintains good quality when thawed.

For canning, use only tested recipes and proper canning methods due to beans' low acidity. Process in a pressure canner following USDA guidelines. Contender's uniform pod size makes it ideal for whole-pack canning methods. The variety also pickles well when harvested young—try dilly beans using 3-4 inch pods for best texture and flavor.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel bean beetles and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial predators

Carrots

Improve soil structure and don't compete for nutrients, beans provide nitrogen for carrots

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting beans

Radishes

Break up compacted soil and mature quickly without competing with beans

Corn

Provides natural support structure for climbing varieties and benefits from nitrogen fixation

Summer Squash

Large leaves provide ground cover and weed suppression, part of Three Sisters planting

Rosemary

Repels bean beetles and other pests with aromatic oils

Lettuce

Grows well in bean shade and doesn't compete for root space

Keep Apart

Onions

Inhibit growth and nitrogen fixation in bean roots through chemical compounds

Garlic

Stunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial root bacteria

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit germination and growth of beans

Nutrition Facts

Calories

31kcal(2%)

Protein

2.57g(5%)

Fiber

2.4g(9%)

Carbs

6.27g(2%)

Fat

0.34g(0%)

Vitamin C

91.3mg(101%)

Vitamin A

8mcg(1%)

Vitamin K

102mcg(85%)

Iron

0.69mg(4%)

Calcium

46mg(4%)

Potassium

303mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #747447)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to common bean mosaic virus and powdery mildew

Common Pests

Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites, thrips

Diseases

Bacterial blight, rust, anthracnose, white mold

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Contender green beans take to grow?▼

Contender green beans mature in 49-55 days from sowing to first harvest. In ideal conditions with warm soil and adequate moisture, you can start picking pods as early as 7 weeks after planting. The harvest period typically lasts 2-3 weeks with regular picking.

Can you grow Contender green beans in containers?▼

Yes, Contender beans excel in containers due to their compact 18-inch bush habit. Use containers at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide for best results. Plant 4-6 seeds per large container, spacing them evenly. Container plants need more frequent watering but produce excellent yields in good potting soil.

Are Contender green beans good for beginners?▼

Contender is excellent for beginning gardeners. The variety forgives common mistakes like cool soil planting, tolerates irregular watering better than most beans, and has strong disease resistance. Its reliable germination and heavy yields provide confidence-building success for new gardeners.

What does Contender green beans taste like?▼

Contender beans have a classic, mild green bean flavor—sweet and tender when harvested young. The pods are consistently stringless with a crisp texture that holds up well to steaming or stir-frying. They lack the sometimes grassy taste of tougher varieties, making them appealing to children and picky eaters.

When should I plant Contender green beans?▼

Plant Contender beans when soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently—typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In most areas, this means late April to early June depending on your zone. For continuous harvest, succession plant every 2-3 weeks through midsummer.

Contender vs Provider green beans—what's the difference?▼

Both are reliable bush beans, but Contender handles cooler weather better while Provider excels in heat. Contender matures slightly faster (49-55 days vs 50-57 for Provider) and has better cold soil germination. Provider offers better disease resistance overall, while Contender produces more concentrated harvests ideal for preservation.