Plant Database / Bean / Early Contender care

Bean 'Early Contender'

Phaseolus vulgaris

8 plantings
1 available for swap
3 wanted
10 stashed

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Early Contender is a popular variety of Bean, which belongs to the Phaseolus genus (Phaseolus vulgaris 'Early Contender').

Round to oval pods 6 to 8 inches long are tender and stringless. Very tolerant of hot temperatures and mildew tolerant as well. The crop matures over a short period of time, so you can complete your canning or freezing quickly. Buff mottled seed.

No staking needed. Heat tolerant. Tolerant of BCMV, NY and greasy pod disease.

Early Contender grows as an Annual and is a Vegetable. Being an Annual, it tends to grow best over the course of a single year. Early Contender normally grows to a max height of 1.30 feet (40.0 cm metric).

Mexico is believed to be where Early Contender originates from.

Early Contender Bean is normally fairly low maintenance and is normally quite easy to grow, as long as a level of basic care is provided throughout the year. Being aware of the basic soil, sun and water preferences will result in a happier and healthier plant.

This plant info is provided by the myfolia gardener's wiki. All details about Bean 'Early Contender' have been kindly provided by our members.

How to grow Bean 'Early Contender'

Full Sun
+
Medium

A full sun position will ensure your plant thrives and remember to water moderately. Keep in mind when planting that Early Contender is thought of as tender, so it is imperative to wait until temperatures are mild before planting out of doors. Use USDA Hardiness Zone 4 - 13 as your guideline for the appropriate climate for this plant. Ensure your soil has a ph of between 6.0 and 6.8 as Early Contender is a weakly acidic soil loving plant.

Growing Early Contender from seed

Ensure a distance of 3.9 inches (10.0 cm) between seeds when sowing - look to sow at a depth of approximately 0.99 inches (2.54 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 16°C / 61°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations, you should look at sowing Early Contender about 14 days after your last frost date.

Transplanting Early Contender

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Early Contender is a tender plant.

Harvesting Early Contender

Bean 'Early Contender' information

Lifecycle The lifecycle that Early Contender exhibits. Annual Category The category for the Early Contender plant. Vegetable
Hardiness Is Early Contender frost hardy? Tender Country of Origin Where does Early Contender come from? Mexico
Mature Height How tall does Early Contender grow? 40.0 cm / 1.30 feet Mature Spread How wide does Early Contender grow? 14.0 cm / 5.46 inches
USDA Zone Range What zones does Early Contender grow best in? Zone 4 - Zone 13 pH Range The level of acidity for Early Contender. 6.0 - 6.8
Sun How much sunlight does Early Contender need to grow? Full Sun
Water Requirements How much water does Early Contender require? Medium Nitrogen Requirements How much nitrogen fertiliser does Early Contender need? Low
Ideal Germination Temperature Range What temperatures does Early Contender need in order to germinate? 16°C / 61°F to 26°C / 79°F Growing Temperatures What temperatures are best to grow Early Contender in? Help build our wiki! to Help build our wiki!
Can Sow Direct? Can Early Contender seeds be sown directly? Yes Sowing Depth How deep to plant Early Contender? 2.54 cm / 0.99 inches
Sowing Distance Apart How far apart to sow Early Contender 10.0 cm / 3.9 inches
Edible? Is Early Contender edible? edible
Planting Distance Apart How far apart to plant Early Contender seedlings? 45.0 cm / 1.46 feet Planting Row Distance Apart How far apart to plant rows of Early Contender seedlings? 45.0 cm / 1.46 feet

How long does Early Contender take to grow?

These estimates for how long Bean 'Early Contender' takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world. Start logging and journaling your observations to participate!

Days to Germination How long does it take Early Contender to germinate? 9 days Average 9 days | Min 4 days | Max 21 days (5)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Early Contender? + 15 days Average 15 days | Min days | Max days (0)
Days to Maturity How long until Early Contender is ready for harvest / bloom? + 50 days Average 50 days | Min days | Max days (0)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Early Contender? = 74 days

When should I sow Early Contender?

Folia's when to plant Bean 'Early Contender' estimates are relative to your last frost date. Enter your frost dates and we'll calculate your sowing and planting dates for you!

Latest Bean 'Early Contender' Reviews

17 May 2011

jenniferworthen's Green Beans Contender Bush was Reviewed day 64

These beans have done well, but not as prolific as other varieties such as Provider. A great, tasty bean and extremely easy to grow!

4 stars

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Popular varieties of Bean

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Bean 'Early Contender'