Bean – Provider

Description

Provider Snap Bush Bean

50 Seeds per pack

Day to Maturity: 48-54 Days

Sun Requirements: Full sun to very light shade.

Botanical Name: (Phaseolus vulgaris)

One of our favorites for its reliability and delicious, sweet flavor, Provider was bred and released in 1966 by the USDA Vegetable Breeding Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina, under Dr. Hoffman. It was developed from multiple strains—including ‘Valentine,’ ‘Logan,’ ‘Ashley Wax,’ ‘Asgrow St. Greenpod,’ and ‘Commodore’—to combine early maturity, cool soil germination, uniform pods, and strong disease resistance. Since its release, it has been a staple for both home gardeners and market growers thanks to its high yields and adaptability across soils and climates.

Plants are upright and sturdy, 16 to 24 inches tall, producing pods in neat clusters that are held above the soil for clean harvesting. The pods are medium-green, round, fleshy, and stringless, averaging five to eight inches long with tender texture and excellent flavor. Its seeds turn a rich purple to maroon (sometimes brownish-purple) when dry. Maturing in about 50 days, Provider is among the earliest bush beans, often producing harvests just two weeks after flowering, and works well in succession plantings for extended production.

Provider is also resistant to bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), pod mottle virus (PMV), and some strains of rust. Its combination of early maturity, disease resistance, and reliable yields has kept it popular for decades.

In the kitchen, pods are excellent for fresh eating—steamed, sautéed, or added to salads and casseroles—and they retain their quality when canned or frozen. They also provide valuable nutrition, offering vitamins C and K, folate, thiamine, riboflavin, magnesium, and potassium.

For more than half a century, Provider has lived up to its name, giving gardeners abundant, dependable harvests season after season!

Planting Instructions for Provider Bush Bean Seeds

Introduction. Provider Snap Bush Bean, introduced in 1966 by the USDA, is one of the easiest beans to grow and a long-time favorite of gardeners. Upright, sturdy plants reach sixteen to twenty-four inches and reliably produce clusters of tender, stringless pods five to eight inches long. Known for its sweet flavor, quick maturity in just forty-eight to fifty-four days, and dependable yields even in cool soils, Provider lives up to its name—an early, abundant, and trouble-free choice for both beginners and experienced growers!

When to Plant. Direct sew Provider beans outdoors in spring once danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Provider is well-known for germinating reliably in cool soils, making it an excellent early-season choice. For an extended harvest, stagger plantings every two to three weeks through midsummer. With its quick maturity, Provider fits well into both spring and fall plantings where the season length allows.

Where to Plant. Select a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil, though Provider will tolerate very light shade. Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Work in compost or aged manure before planting. Rotate crops by avoiding areas where beans or other legumes were grown the previous year to reduce disease buildup.

How to Plant. Sow seeds 1-1.5″ deep in rows eighteen to twenty-four inches apart. Place seeds two to three inches apart in the row. Thin seedlings to one plant every four to six inches once they reach about three inches tall. Germination usually takes six to ten days.

Care. Keep soil evenly moist throughout growth, especially during flowering and pod development, aiming for about one inch of water per week. Water at the base of plants to reduce disease risk. Mulch with straw or shredded leaves to conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep pods clean. Provider fixes its own nitrogen, so fertilizer needs are low. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of pods.

Pests and Diseases. Provider was bred for strong disease resistance and shows resistance to Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BCMV), Pod Mottle Virus (PMV), and certain strains of rust. Common pests include bean beetles, aphids, and slugs. Use floating row covers early in the season, attract beneficial insects, and keep the garden weed-free to help minimize issues. Avoid overhead watering and handling wet plants to reduce fungal problems.

Harvest. Begin harvesting pods forty-eight to fifty-four days after planting, when they are five to eight inches long, tender, and crisp. Harvest regularly, every couple of days, to keep plants productive. Pods are produced in neat clusters, making them especially easy to pick. Provider’s early maturity makes it a dependable choice for gardeners eager for the first beans of the season, and successive plantings ensure ongoing harvests.

Storage and Use. Fresh beans are best eaten soon after picking, though they will store in the refrigerator for up to a week in a breathable container. For long-term storage, blanch beans briefly in boiling water, cool in ice water, drain, and freeze in airtight containers. Provider also cans well, retaining both texture and flavor. Its tender pods are excellent for steaming, sautéing, stir-frying, and adding to salads, casseroles, and soups.

Seed Saving. Provider is an open-pollinated variety, so seeds can be saved for future plantings. Allow pods to dry fully on the plant until tan and brittle. When shaken, the beans inside should rattle. Harvest dry pods and spread them indoors in a single layer for two weeks to complete drying. Shell beans once fully dry, then store them in seed saving envelopes inside an airtight container. For best longevity, keep seeds cool and dry, ideally between thirty-two and forty-one degrees Fahrenheit. Include a moisture-absorbing packet, such as silica gel or powdered milk wrapped in cloth. Always label containers with variety name and harvest year, and save seed from the healthiest, most productive plants.

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