How Big Do Contender Bush Beans Get?

Definition

• Contender beans are a type of bush bean whose pods grow to be six to eight inches long. Unlike pole beans, bush beans do not require staking for support. They are sometimes called snap beans because of the snapping sound the pod makes when breaking it in half, or string beans, even though the string that runs along the seam in some beans is not present in contender beans. To fully enjoy the rich flavor of contender beans, it's important to follow proper planting and harvesting guidelines.

Planting and Care

• Bean plants require little attention once seedlings emerge, but preparing the bed for planting is important to cultivate healthy crops. Green beans need soil temperatures above 65 degrees to germinate, so plant seeds about a week after the first frost-free date in your area. Set seeds in a shallow trench about one inch deep, two to four inches apart, with 18 inches between rows. Keep the soil moist to encourage germination. Once the seedlings emerge, it's really only necessary to water in extremely dry conditions.

Harvesting

• Pick beans before they exceed 8 inches, or before the pods appear swollen. Ripe beans will feel slightly spongy while aged pods will be much firmer. To pick beans, hold the plant with one hand and gently pluck pods from the stem. Harvesting beans as they mature encourages more flowers to grow, which ultimately increases the yield for each plant.

Preparation

• Steam beans for five minutes before serving to retain the most nutrients. To prepare beans for freezing, boil them in water for approximately two minutes, then immediately plunge them in cold water for a minute or two. Pat the beans dry with a towel and place them in freezer bags. Frozen beans can be prepared using the same method as fresh ones.