Bean – Jade

Description

Jade Bush Bean (a.k.a. “Energizer Bean”)

50 Seeds per pack

Days to Maturity: 50 – 75 Days

Sun Requirements: Full sun to very light shade.

Botanical Name: (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Jade Bush Bean is a modern open-pollinated snap bean introduced in 1991 by Petoseed, a company later absorbed into Seminis. Bred as an improvement over earlier bush beans, Jade was specifically developed to deliver higher yields, excellent disease resistance, and the ability to thrive in both heat and cool weather conditions. Its introduction quickly gained favor with home gardeners and market growers alike, and it has remained a favorite for over three decades thanks to its reliability and flavor.

Plants are upright and bushy, holding their pods above the soil for clean, easy harvesting. Pods are long, slender, and stringless, averaging six to seven inches in length, with a distinctive deep jade-green color that stands out in the garden and at market stands. Unlike many other beans that quickly lose tenderness, Jade beans stay crisp and flavorful even if left on the plant a little longer, giving growers more harvest flexibility.

Maturity typically occurs in 53 to 60 days, though under certain conditions pods may be ready as early as 50 days or as late as 75. Pods are prized for their classic “Blue Lake” flavor—rich, sweet, and tender—and are excellent for fresh eating, steaming, sautéing, freezing, or canning.

Nicknamed the “energizer bean” by gardeners, Jade is known for its seemingly endless production through the season, often continuing to flower and set pods when other varieties slow down. The plants also carry strong resistance to Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BV and NY strains), Curly Top Virus, and tolerance to several strains of rust, making them dependable performers even in less than idea conditions.

Jade Bush Bean’s blend of modern breeding and old-fashioned flavor has made it a beloved choice since the early 1990s—a bean that continues to “keep going, and going, and going” for gardeners everywhere!

Planting Instructions for Jade Bean Seeds

Introduction. Jade Bush Bean is a more modern open-pollinated snap bean introduced in 1991 by Petoseed, later absorbed into Seminis. Specifically bred to outperform earlier bush varieties, Jade quickly earned a reputation for its combination of high yields, excellent disease resistance, and adaptability to both heat and cooler weather. Upright, bushy plants hold pods well above the soil, keeping them clean and easy to harvest. The long, straight, stringless pods average six to seven inches in length and are a striking deep jade-green. With a flavor reminiscent of the classic Blue Lake type—sweet, tender, and rich—Jade has remained a favorite among gardeners and market growers alike for over three decades. Its nickname, the “energizer bean,” comes from its seemingly endless production, often continuing to flower and set pods when other beans taper off.

When to Plant. Direct sow Jade beans outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has thoroughly warmed to at least sixty degrees Fahrenheit. In most regions, this is one to two weeks after the average last frost date. While Jade beans can be ready as early as fifty days, most mature between fifty-three and sixty days, with some conditions stretching to seventy-five. Unlike Blue Lake 274, which sets a concentrated flush of pods, Jade keeps producing steadily through the season, making it an excellent choice for fresh eating over an extended period. For an even more extended harvest, stagger plantings every two to three weeks.

Where to Plant. Choose a site in full sun, though Jade will tolerate very light shade. A fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is best. Before planting, enrich the soil with compost or well-aged manure. Avoid planting where beans or other legumes grew the previous year to reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases.

How to Plant. Sow seeds one inch deep in rows spaced eighteen to twenty-four inches apart. Space seeds 2-3″ apart within the row. Once seedlings reach about three inches tall, thin them to one plant every four to six inches for proper airflow and easy access during picking. Germination usually takes six to fourteen days, depending on soil temperature.

Care. Keep soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and pod set, aiming for about one inch of water per week. Water at the base of the plants to reduce disease risks. Mulch with two to three inches of straw or shredded leaves to hold in moisture, discourage weeds, and keep pods clean. Jade produces reliably in a compost-rich soil and fixes its own nitrogen, so fertilizer needs are minimal. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which cause excessive foliage at the expense of bean production.

Pests and Diseases. Jade Bush Bean was bred for strong disease resistance, and it shows excellent resilience. It resists Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BV and NY strains), Curly Top Virus, and has tolerance to several strains of rust. Still, watch for common pests such as bean beetles, aphids, and slugs. Use row covers early, encourage beneficial insects, and keep the garden weed-free to reduce problems. Avoid overhead watering and handling plants when wet to minimize fungal issues.

Harvest. Begin harvesting pods about fifty-three to sixty days from planting, though some crops may be ready as early as fifty days. Pick when pods are five to six inches long, tender, and full-flavored. Pods stay crisp and sweet longer than many other beans, giving you more flexibility if harvest is delayed. For best results, harvest every few days to encourage continuous production. Since Jade keeps flowering and setting pods, you can enjoy fresh beans for much of the season, and you can stagger plantings for an even longer harvest window.

Storage and Use. Fresh Jade beans are best eaten right after picking, but they can be refrigerated unwashed in a breathable bag for up to a week. For long-term storage, blanch pods briefly in boiling water, cool in ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in airtight containers. They also can well, holding their firm texture and flavor. In the kitchen, Jade beans are versatile—steam, sauté, stir-fry, roast, or use them in soups, stews, and casseroles.

Seed Saving. Jade is open-pollinated, so you can save seed from year to year. Allow pods to fully mature and dry on the plant until they turn tan and rattle when shaken. Harvest dry pods, then spread them indoors in a single layer for another two weeks to finish drying. Once fully dry, shell the beans and store them in seed saving envelopes inside an airtight container. Keep seeds cool and dry, ideally between thirty-two and forty-one degrees Fahrenheit, such as in a refrigerator. Include a moisture-absorbing packet like silica gel or powdered milk wrapped in cloth. Always label seeds with the variety name and harvest year. Save seed only from the healthiest, most vigorous plants to ensure strong traits in future crops.

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