Southern Bush Green Bean
Southern Bush green bean is a modern bush bean variety that delivers blazing-fast harvests and robust production. This variety is an open-pollinated snap bean that matures in only about 50 days. That means you can enjoy handfuls of crunchy green beans just a few weeks after planting. The plants are compact (about 24" tall) and bushy, so they don’t require trellising and are easy to tend. Because it yields so quickly, you can succession-plant Green Blaze multiple times in one season (spring, mid-summer, late summer) to keep a continuous supply of beans coming.
This is an annual open-pollinated seed that grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11.
Each packet will have a little over 50 seeds.
Southern Bush green bean is a modern bush bean variety that delivers blazing-fast harvests and robust production. This variety is an open-pollinated snap bean that matures in only about 50 days. That means you can enjoy handfuls of crunchy green beans just a few weeks after planting. The plants are compact (about 24" tall) and bushy, so they don’t require trellising and are easy to tend. Because it yields so quickly, you can succession-plant Green Blaze multiple times in one season (spring, mid-summer, late summer) to keep a continuous supply of beans coming.
This is an annual open-pollinated seed that grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11.
Each packet will have a little over 50 seeds.
Southern Bush green bean is a modern bush bean variety that delivers blazing-fast harvests and robust production. This variety is an open-pollinated snap bean that matures in only about 50 days. That means you can enjoy handfuls of crunchy green beans just a few weeks after planting. The plants are compact (about 24" tall) and bushy, so they don’t require trellising and are easy to tend. Because it yields so quickly, you can succession-plant Green Blaze multiple times in one season (spring, mid-summer, late summer) to keep a continuous supply of beans coming.
This is an annual open-pollinated seed that grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11.
Each packet will have a little over 50 seeds.
Growing Instructions
This variety thrives in full sun and warm weather ideally planted after soil temps are above 60°. Prepare your planting spot with well-draining soil and mix in some compost for fertility. Sow seeds about 1" deep and 4"–6" inches apart in rows that are about 24" inches apart. In a week or two, seedlings will pop up. Keep the soil evenly moist to ensure continuous germination. These bush beans have self-supporting stalks but may appreciate a little extra space and airflow to prevent any fungus in very humid conditions. This variety, being quick to mature, will give a heavy flush of beans over a couple of weeks. To extend the harvest, do succession plantings every 2-3 weeks. Keep picking the beans as they become ready as this encourages the plants to bloom again and set more pods. Water regularly and try to water at the base rather than overhead to keep leaves dry, reducing disease risk.
Harvest, Storage, and Use
The hallmark of this variety is its quick and generous harvest. Harvest time is about 50-60 days after sowing. Pods are ready when they are about as thick as a pencil, smooth, and can be snapped off easily. Check the plants daily once they start producing. You’ll often harvest every other day during peak production. For best taste, pick beans while slender and tender. After picking, use beans fresh for the sweetest flavor and snappiest texture. In terms of storage, fresh beans will last about 1 week in the refrigerator in a plastic bag or container. These beans maintain good flavor and texture when preserved, so consider blanching and freezing any excess. You can also pressure can them or pickle them if you’re feeling adventurous.
These beans are excellent eaten raw or lightly steamed, retaining a bright green color and crisp bite. Toss them into salads, stir-fries, or simply sauté with a bit of garlic and butter. They also shine in classic preparations like green bean casserole or dill-pickled beans (dilly beans). Because the pods are stringless and smooth, prepping them is easy. Simply trim the stem end and they’re ready to go.
| 👍 Good companions | Corn, squash (classic trio: beans fix nitrogen for heavy-feeding squash), cucumbers and eggplant (encourage growth and benefit from bean-fixed nitrogen), radishes, marigolds, nasturtiums, rosemary, summer savor, catnip (repel pests), and potatoes (beans can replenish soil after hungry potato plantings) | ||
| 👎 Bad companions | Fennel, gladiolus, alliums like onions, garlic, chives, leeks, shallots (inhibit growth), peppers (can share diseases/pests) | ||
| Growing zones | 7-11 | Crop type | Annual |
| Crop difficulty | Mid | Seed type | Open-Pollinated |
| Sowing method | Direct Sow Recommended | Containers? | Large / Bed |
| Sun req. | Full Sun | Ideal soil temp. | 70-80°F |
| Days to germination | 7-14 days | Days to maturity | 50-60 days |
| Seed spacing | 4"-6" | Row spacing | 24" |
| Seed depth | 1" | Needs support? | No |