Most of the green bean varieties we have are now stringless. These are the newer cultivars that have been bred to reduce strings. Hence, we can refer to them as
The two main green bean varieties are pole beans and bush beans. These two varieties come in different cultivars ranging from, meaty Roma types, to broad, thin, and delicate French filet beans. The bean pods can come in round or flat shapes. They can as well come in different colors such as green, yellow, or mottled.
Let’s dive in and take a look at the various green bean varieties we have.
Stringless Green Beans Varieties
As we have mentioned, stringless green beans are of two types, namely; bush beans and pole beans. All of which come in dozens of cultivars. So, let’s take a look at these two stringless green bean types and their varieties.
Bush Beans – Stringless Beans
Bush bean is a type of stringless green bean variety that grows in a bushy manner. This type of bean does not require support because the plant will grow together and support each other when properly spaced.
Here are some bush bean cultivars and some info on them:
Contender
Contender is a type of bush bean variety that grows within 50 to 55 days. This type of cultivar is one of the best bush beans for cool or short summer gardens. It is also heat tolerant. These beans are so flavorful and give rise to about 6 to 8 inches of slightly curved stringless pods.
Provider
The provider is another bush bean variety that takes about 52 days to reach maturity. It produces medium-green, round, stringless pods of about 5 and a half to 6 inches long. Its tasteful flavor is retained even after pickling.
This bush bean variety tends to thrive well in cooler
Maxibel
Maxibel bush bean cultivars will give rise to slender stringless pods of about 7 inches. They are dark green filet beans and they will mature in about 60 days.
Jade
The Jade bush bean variety is a very productive and flavorful type. They will mature in 60 days and produce straight dark-green round pods.
Blue Lake
Blue lake bush bean cultivar will produce long, stringless pods, with deep rich colors. Their maturity period is around 51 to 60 days and their pods are rounded with 5 to 6 lengths. The bushy plant is about 12 to 22 inches long.
Harvesters
This harvester is another bush bean variety that thrives well in warm southern areas. It takes about 50 to 60 days to reach maturity. Their pods are round, stringless, medium-green pods and they range from 5 to 6 inches long.
Green crop
The green crop takes about 55 days to harvest. They have great flavor and they are tender and meaty. Their pods are flat and are 8 inches long but half-inch wide. It can be used fresh or used for freezing or canning.
Top crop
The top crop is another great bush ban variety that takes about 45 to 53 days to harvest. They are meaty, tender, and flavorful. Their pods are emerald green, straight, stringless pf about 6 to 7 inches long, and slightly curved. They are also oblong, round, and mottled.
The plant will grow about 18 inches to 24 inches tall. They are ideal for eating fresh, freezing, and canning.
Top Crop Bush Green Bean Seeds
Derby
Derby bush bean is another variety that takes 57 days to reach harvest and they have great flavor. Their pods are green, straight, dark, and oval. The pod is about 7 inches long. However, it’s best when picked at 5 inches long. They are excellent for freezing and canning.
Pole Green Beans
Pole
Fortex
Fortex is a type of pole bean variety that will take about 60 to 70 days to mature. They give rise to one of the most extended pods of pole bean and can grow up to 11 inches. Their pods are round, stringless, and slender and they have dark brown seeds.
Kentucky Wonder
The Kentucky wonder pole beans are an American classic that produces tasteful pods that are great for eating fresh, canning, pickling, or freezing. it takes about 58 to 72 days to mature. Kentucky wonder beans give rise to prolific and disease-resistant yield.
Blue Lake
Blue lake pole bean variety will attain maturity in 62 to 75 days. They offer sweet and juicy flavors and can be canned, frozen, or baked. Their pod appearance is oval, straight, and dark green and the bean is stringless. Their pod length is about 5 and a half to 7 inches long.
Scarlet Runner
Scarlet runner pole beans will take 70 days for young pods to grow and 115 days for shell beans. They give rise to edible and delicious when young. The pods will toughen as they get to the maturity stage or full size.
They grow large, and vigorous, and are climbers that give rise to big pods. They will also grow large beans if they are allowed to attain good maturity.
The scarlet runner bean also produces flowers or blooms that attract fascinating hummingbirds during summer.
Romano
The Romano is another flavorful and meaty pole bean variety. It is quite popular in Europe because of its unique flavor. It will take about 60 to 70 days to attain maturity.
Kwintus
The Kwintus pole beans are a flavorful and tender bean variety. Their pods are long, flat, and green and can grow up to 11 inches in length. They can grow up to 8 feet tall.
How Do You Plant String Beans From Seed?
The best way to grow beans has a lot to do with providing the right growing conditions for them. Here are some guidelines to help you produce the best beans harvest;
- Beans grow well in well-draining
soil with normal fertility. The pH of thesoil needs to be acidic to neutral, in the range of 6.0-7.0. - Prepare the
soil by adding well-aged compost or manure a month to a week before planting. - Set up support such as a trellis or a pole for your beans before planting. Beans do not like having their roots disturbed, so make sure to put up the support before planting
- Directly seed your beans into the
soil outdoors. The best time to sow is any time after the last spring frost date in your area. - Plant the seeds after the
soil has warmed up to at least 48°F. Do not get impatient and plant too early because the coldsoil will delay germination and cause your seeds to rot. - Do not start the
green beans indoors. Because their roots are fragile, they may not survive transplanting. They are also really fast growers so there is no added benefit to starting them indoors.
How to:
- Sow bush beans – 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart.
- Sow pole beans – 1 inch deep, placing them around supports
- For a continual harvest that lasts all summer, sow seeds every two weeks
- Practice crop rotation, planting crops in different areas each growing season to avoid the build-up and transfer of pests and diseases
How Deep Should I Plant Green Bean Seeds?
Plant green bean seeds about 1 inch deep in the
How Long Does it Take Green Bean Seeds to Germinate?
Green bean seeds will germinate in 5 to 10 days after planting. This is provided that the best conditions for germination, are;
- temperatures of between 60° and 85° Fahrenheit
- sow the seeds in a sterile
soil mix - give the seeds sufficient time to grow
When Do You Plant Green Bean Seeds Outside?
The best time to sow green bean seeds outside is at least 10-12 weeks before the first frost. Plant the seeds every 2-4 inches apart in rows that are 6 inches apart. This method of planting is efficient and will also make it easy to harvest.
How Long Are Green Bean Seeds Viable?
Many seeds, including green bean seeds, will remain viable and maintain great germination for around three years if they are stored well. Some can even last for centuries depending on the conditions of the seeds and how they are stored.
To keep them safe and ensure good germination rates, keep them in a cool and dry place. Make sure that the place is safe from rodents and other creatures that may eat and destroy the seeds. It is also a good idea to keep them in a dark room.
Final Say On Stringless Green Bean Varieties
Stringless
FAQ’s
What kind of green beans are stringless?
If you mean "stringless" as in no strings, then they're called French Green Beans. There are many different types, including stringless French, stringless wax, and stringless snap beans. The main difference is that they have more tips (also known as the "eyes") than regular green beans.
They are also usually less sweet.
How do you grow stringless green beans?
If you have access to an area that gets full sun, it is very easy to grow them. You can start your seedlings in flats and transplant them into bigger containers as they get bigger. You can put a piece of cardboard over them to keep the rain off.
The best way to grow stringless green beans is to plant them in the ground. However, they do like to grow in pots too. You can grow them in a wide variety of pots. Some of the best pots are plastic ones because they are lightweight and won't break if you drop them. They also have a large surface area and will hold a lot of soil. You should choose a pot that is at least 6 inches deep. Green beans grow well in pots with up to 8 inches of soil. If you do choose to grow them in pots, it's a good idea to buy a green bean starter kit.
Do stringless beans need a trellis?
If you are growing them in the ground, a trellis is the best way. If you are using a large container, you may want to think about some type of support for them. You could use some sort of string to tie around the bottom of the pot and then weave twine through the strings. Or you could use a bamboo cane and put it through the strings and tie them around the base of the plant. Or you could use a piece of rebar and poke it into the ground. The easiest thing to do would be to find an empty plastic milk jug (or similar sized container) and then tie your beans into it. The beans will root along the inside of the container and you won't have to worry about them falling over. You can also get some wooden sticks and tie them together to make a frame for the container. You can then put a small, shallow tray on top of the frame to catch any water that drains out of the container.
What is the difference between snap beans and string beans?
String beans and snap beans are both members of the legume family, but they are harvested in very different ways. String beans are grown on a trellis or poles and picked when they are tender. Snap beans are grown on a trellis or poles and harvested when the pods are mature. String beans are available in many colors, while snap beans come in only one color. String beans have long thin pods and snap beans have short thick pods.
String beans have more straight, solid, cylindrical shape. Snap beans have more curved, tapered, and wavy shape. String beans are often blanched (cooked but not boiled) and then frozen.
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
