How to Grow Provider Bush Beans from Seed
Bush bean can be started indoors, but performs best if sown directly after the final spring frost. Sow 2-3 seeds 1" deep and 2-3" apart in moist, Organically rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. Whether direct sowing or transplanting, thin out strongest starts to every 18-24" in the garden as true leaves establish. Beans need light and consistent watering but, when doing so, water as close to the root as possible to avoid saturating greens known to cause root rot and mildew.
Seeds can be sown in cooler soils than most other bush beans can handle, but the soil should be at least 65°. Make sure soil is loose and moist and that the plants are in full sun. For an ongoing harvest, sow seeds every week or so, so that different plants are in different stages of their production. Pack a one inch layer of soil over the seeds, and arrange them in rows 2 feet apart with plants 4 inches apart. Water them quite often to make sure the sun doesn't dehydrate them. Seeds should be sown directly in loose soil with two inches allowed between each individual plant and twenty inches between each row. Cover each seed with one inch of soil in full sun. To avoid letting the plants wilt in the sun, water them often, but do so close to the roots of the plant so as not to cause disease on the leaves.
Provider Bush Beans in the Vegetable Garden
These beautiful deep purple beans are a great way to add exciting new colors to your home garden. Once they are cooked however, they resemble regular green beans almost exactly. This bush bean produces small runners. The variety is resistant to BCMV and is avoided by Mexican bean beetles.
Resistant to common and NY15 bean mosaic and pod mottle viruses, and is tolerant to powdery mildew
Provider is Recommended by the Following State Universities or Ag Extension Offices as a variety that performs well for their region. FL, KS, NY, OR, TX
Harvesting Provider Bush Beans
Most varieties of bush bean are ready to harvest at about 50-60 days from sowing or once the pods are 3-5" long. Harvest often to encourage fruiting and to ensure pods do not dehydrate on the vine. Although some pods may pull cleanly from the vine, use a knife or shears for more fibrous pods to avoid accidental damage to the plant. Like many crops in the garden, it is widely believed that beans are best harvested in the morning for optimal sugar content.
About Provider Bush Bean Garden Seeds
Introduced by Dr. Hoffman of South Carolina around 1965.
Maroon colored beans. Once was a white seeded variety, but not sure it still exists anymore in the seed trade.
Snap bean for home gardens, local market, shipping fresh and for freezing. 15-17" vines, bushy, sturdy, and strong roots.
Pods round to heart-shaped, straight, 5-1/4", fleshy, low fiber, stingless, and medium dark green.
Excellent for cool soil emergence for early season or cool coastal climates. Though it has a concentrated early set, it does provide for longer than many bush snap beans.
A great canning variety as it holds its form and doesn't become mushy/soggy. The true "beany" flavor of this heirloom really shines when canned. No tin can taste here! It will remind you of picking summer beans while cuddled by the winter fireplace.
