Bean – Contender

Description

Contender Bush Bean (a.k.a. Buff Valentine, Early Contender, Contender Stringless)

50 Seeds per pack

Days to Maturity: 40–55 days

Sun Requirements: Full sun to very light shade.

Botanical Name: (Phaseolus vulgaris) 

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Introduced in 1949, the Contender Bush Bean quickly became a trusted heirloom variety valued for its earliness, adaptability, and dependable yields. Compact bush-type plants grow 12 to 24 inches tall, requiring no staking, and are well-suited for both large gardens and smaller spaces such as raised beds or containers. Known for thriving in a wide range of climates, Contender performs equally well in cool, short-season areas and in regions with summer heat, making it a versatile choice for gardeners across the country.

The plants produce heavy crops of stringless, medium-green pods measuring 6 to 8 inches long. Pods are tender, crisp, and full of flavor, with a rich, earthy taste that holds up well whether eaten fresh, frozen, or canned. Pods higher on the plant tend to be straighter, while lower ones may show a slight curve, but all are prized for their delicious flavor.

Contender is one of the earliest maturing bush beans, often ready to pick in just 50 to 55 days, with some harvests coming even sooner under favorable conditions. Its concentrated yields make it especially useful for bulk harvesting and preserving. Highly nutritious, the beans are a good source of vitamins A, B, and C.

Another strength of this variety is its resilience. Contender shows resistance to common bean mosaic virus (BCMV), New York 15 (NY15), and green pod (GP) strains, with additional tolerance to powdery mildew. With its combination of early maturity, adaptability, high productivity, and excellent flavor, Contender remains a long-standing favorite for both home gardeners and market growers!

Disease resisance: Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BCMV), NY15, and Green Pod (GP)

Planting Instructions for Contender Bean Seeds

Introduction. Snap beans are some of the easiest things to grow, and Contender Bush Bean is one of the best choices for beginners. Also known as Buff Valentine, Early Contender, and Contender Stringless, this heirloom was introduced in 1949 and quickly became a favorite for its earliness, adaptability, and dependable yields. The compact bush plants grow twelve to twenty-four inches tall, need no staking, and fit well in gardens, raised beds, or containers. Pods are six to eight inches long, tender, crisp, and stringless, with a rich flavor that is excellent fresh, frozen, or canned.

When to Plant. Sow Contender after frost when the soil is at least sixty degrees Fahrenheit. It matures in just forty to fifty-five days, making it one of the earliest beans to harvest. Plants produce a heavy flush of beans over a few weeks, perfect for canning or freezing. To enjoy fresh beans all summer, plant new rows every two to three weeks until midsummer. In warmer regions, a final sowing about ten weeks before fall frost provides a late season harvest.

Where and How to Plant. Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil, ideally with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Mix in compost or aged manure before planting. Sow seeds 1-1.5″ deep and two to three inches apart in rows eighteen to twenty-four inches apart. Once seedlings are about three inches tall, thin to one plant every four to six inches. Seeds usually sprout in six to ten days.

Care. Keep soil evenly moist, giving about one inch of water per week. Water at the base to keep leaves dry and reduce disease. Mulch two to three inches deep with straw or leaves to hold moisture, block weeds, and keep pods clean. Contender fixes its own nitrogen, so compost-rich soil is usually enough. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which produce more leaves but fewer pods.

Pests and Diseases. Contender resists common bean mosaic virus (BCMV) and has tolerance to New York 15 (NY15), and powdery mildew, making it quite resilient. Still, watch for aphids, bean beetles, and slugs. Row covers early in the season, clean garden beds, and watering at soil level help prevent problems. Remove any diseased leaves to stop the spread of rust or mildew.

Harvest. Pick pods when they are six to eight inches long and still tender. Hold the stem with one hand and pull with the other to avoid breaking branches. Harvest every other day once beans start coming in, as regular picking keeps plants producing. Because the crop comes on strong all at once, it is perfect for preserving, though fresh beans are excellent steamed, sautéed, or in casseroles and soups.

Storage and Use. Fresh beans taste best right after picking but will keep about a week in the refrigerator if stored unwashed in a breathable bag or container. For long-term storage, blanch briefly in boiling water, cool in ice water, drain, and freeze in airtight containers. Contender also holds its flavor and texture well when canned.

Seed Saving. Contender is open-pollinated and easy to save. Leave some pods on the plants until they are fully dry and tan. The beans inside should rattle when shaken. Harvest, dry indoors for two weeks, shell, and store in seed saving envelopes in a airtight container in a cool, dry place (thirty-two to forty-one degrees Fahrenheit). Add a silica gel packet or powdered milk wrapped in cloth to absorb moisture. Label with variety and year, and always choose seed from the healthiest plants for the best future crops.

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