The vegetable collectionNo. 10
Phaseolus vulgarisBush bean · Open pollinated
50Days to harvest
from direct sowing

An early start.
A steady harvest.

A seed worth growing

Provider

Bean Seeds

Item #HSC-BEA-021-1KOpen pollinated

About this variety

An early, reliable green bean that copes with cool spring soil.

Provider is often the first bean picked in the garden. Because it germinates better than most beans in cool soil, you can sow it a little earlier in spring and start harvesting in about 50 days. Compact bush plants adapt to a wide range of soils and climates and bear round, fleshy green pods about 5 1/2" long. The seeds are purple.

High resistance to bean mosaic virus and powdery mildew helps plants stay productive. Pick every few days to keep new pods coming. The beans are excellent fresh and are a favorite for freezing and canning.

An open-pollinated variety first released by the USDA in 1965, so you can save your own seed.

Disease Resistance

  • Bean mosaic virus (BMV), one or more races: high resistance
  • Powdery mildew (PM): high resistance

Specs

  • Growth habit: bush
  • Packet: 175 seeds
  • Average 1,370 seeds per lb.

In stock — 1,000 Seeds

Current price $7.85

Know before you sow

Quick Facts

Seed size & germination
Seed size (10 mm scale) and germination soil temperature chart for bush bean

Growing times vary with weather, soil and local conditions.

Growing guide

From seed to harvest

Sow after the last frost

Daytime soil at least 60°F (16°C).
Best germination: 70–90°F (21–32°C).

Space the seeds

1 inch deep · 2 inches apart.
Rows 20–36 inches apart; well-drained soil.

Keep sowing

Sow every 2–3 weeks
through midsummer.

Pick regularly

About 50 days from direct sowing.
Regular picking encourages new pods.

Growing Information

Scientific name

Phaseolus vulgaris

Soil and temperature

Use well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5–6.8. Beans germinate best in soil at 70–90°F (21–32°C); wait until daytime soil temperatures average at least 60°F (16°C), or germination will suffer. Treating seed with a legume inoculant can raise yields.

Days to maturity

Counted from direct sowing.

Direct seeding

After the last frost, sow seeds 1" deep and about 2" apart, in rows 20–36" apart.

Seeding rate

At 8 seeds per foot in rows 3' apart: about 1,000 seeds per 125', 1 lb. per 175' and 116,000 seeds per acre.

Succession planting

Sow again every 2–3 weeks until midsummer for a steady supply.

Insect pests

Mexican bean beetles and potato leafhoppers are the main pests; products based on pyrethrin or azadirachtin (neem) can control them.

Disease

In fall, turn under or compost old bean plants to speed the breakdown of most disease organisms. Wider rows that let leaves and soil dry out help limit white mold (Sclerotinia). Rotate beans on a 3-year cycle.

Harvest

Regular picking keeps the plants setting new pods. For extra-fine filet beans about 1/4" across, pick every 36–48 hours, and never leave more than 2 days between pickings in hot weather.

Storage

Keeps 7–10 days at 40°F (5°C) and 90% relative humidity.

Seeds per lb.

About 1,370 for Provider.

Packet

175 seeds; sows about 29'.

Satisfaction Guarantee

We want every packet you buy from Hensley’s Seed Co. to grow well for you.

If anything you order from us doesn’t meet your expectations, just let us know and we’ll replace it or refund what you paid.

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