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Contender Bush Bean Seeds

Scientific name Phaseolus vulgaris L.

About this variety

Contender brings an early crop of tender green snap beans to small beds and kitchen gardens. Also sold as Buff Valentine, this dependable bush bean needs no trellis and produces flavorful pods for fresh cooking, freezing or canning. Pick at 4-6 in., before the seeds swell, for the best texture. Its early start and tolerance of warm weather...

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Alliance of Native Seedkeepers  |  SKU: BN29
$2.00

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At a glance

The facts most gardeners need first

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25 minimum seeds per packet
Gardener experience

Easy to moderate

Germination difficulty

Easy

Germination time

5–10 days at 75–90 °F seed-zone soil temperature

  • Germination
    5–10 daysa seed-zone soil temperature of 75–90 °F
  • Sun
    Full sun
  • Support and spacing
    No support needed · space 6 in · rows 24 in
  • Growth habit
    Bush · Annual · 13–18 in tall
  • Best use
    Tender snap pods for cooking, freezing and tested pressure canning
  • Before sowing
    No pretreatment required
Secure checkout Details
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Triple-tested seed qualityRegular quality and germination checks support every packet.

We regularly test seed quality and germination as lots move through storage and packing. We stand behind the seed we send and want customers to contact us when a packet does not perform as reasonably expected.

1-year seed warrantyCoverage begins on the date of purchase.

When properly stored, planted, and cared for, we guarantee reasonable germination and true-to-type growth for one year from the date of purchase. Conditions outside our control—including extreme weather, pests, unsuitable storage, and gardener error—are excluded. Contact us when something is not right so we can review the situation and work toward a replacement, refund, or another fair resolution.

Non-GMO / BE seed policyWe do not buy or sell genetically engineered or bioengineered seed.

Every seed variety we sell is non-GMO.

USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard defines bioengineered foods as containing detectable genetic material modified through in vitro recombinant DNA methods in ways not achievable through conventional breeding or found in nature.

  • Hybrid means parent lines were conventionally crossed; hybrid does not mean GMO.
  • Heirloom and open-pollinated describe how a variety is maintained and reproduced.
  • Organic certification is separate and is shown only when verified for the individual product.

Read how we define heirloom, hybrid, and GMO/BE seed · USDA BE Standard

Packed in Colerain, North CarolinaPrepared in our seed room for gardens across the country.

Seeds are packed and shipped from Colerain, North Carolina. Our packets use forestry-certified paper, and we use recyclable paper mailers where appropriate. AONSK is also a 1% for the Planet partner while continuing to reduce waste in packing and fulfillment.

Seed & Garden Calculators

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Use the garden-fit planner and soil calculator to turn the recorded growing facts into a practical plan.

Open Seed & Garden Calculators Uses this product’s recorded growing information. Local weather and garden conditions may vary.

Variety field guide

What to expect from Contender Bush Bean Seeds

Contender brings an early crop of tender green snap beans to small beds and kitchen gardens. Also sold as Buff Valentine, this dependable bush bean needs no trellis and produces flavorful pods for fresh cooking, freezing or canning.

Open the complete descriptionHide the complete descriptionVariety traits, flavor, garden use, and the complete description

Contender brings an early crop of tender green snap beans to small beds and kitchen gardens. Also sold as Buff Valentine, this dependable bush bean needs no trellis and produces flavorful pods for fresh cooking, freezing or canning. Pick at 4-6 in., before the seeds swell, for the best texture. Its early start and tolerance of warm weather make repeated sowings useful for extending the harvest.

Minimum seeds per packet: 25 seeds.

Early, tender snap beans on compact, easy-picking plants.

Variety and background

Contender is also sold under the name Buff Valentine. This bush bean is valued for an early crop of tender green snap pods on manageable plants that need no trellis.

Sow and grow

Direct sow after frost in soil above 60 F, 1 in. deep and 4-6 in. apart; rows 18-24 in. apart. Germination takes 5-10 days at 70-90 F. Give full sun, drained soil and steady moisture. Sow again every 2-3 weeks for successive crops.

Season care

Keep the bed weeded while plants are small. Water the root zone consistently during flowering and pod fill, allowing the soil to drain between irrigations. Avoid excess nitrogen, which encourages leaves at the expense of beans. Work around plants when foliage is dry, and rotate legumes with unrelated crops.

Harvest and use

Begin picking about 50-65 days from sowing while pods snap easily. Harvest every few days; refrigerate promptly or blanch and freeze. Use tested pressure-canning directions. For seed, leave selected healthy plants until pods are fully dry; shell and store cool and dry.

Saving seed

Common beans are largely self-pollinating, but insects can occasionally cross compatible varieties. Mark several healthy, representative plants and let their pods reach full dry maturity. Shell only dry pods, discard damaged or moldy beans, and dry the cleaned seed completely before airtight storage. Keep varieties separated and label saved seed with the variety, source and harvest year.

Common problems

Cold, wet soil can rot seed before emergence. Watch for bean beetles, aphids, rust, leaf spots and root rots. Rotate crops, provide drainage, avoid wet-foliage handling and remove severely diseased plants. Harvest promptly before prolonged rain damages drying pods.

Frequently asked questions

Are Contender and Buff Valentine different here?

The supplier lists Contender as also known as Buff Valentine. This product follows that identification; it is not sold as a mixture.

How soon can I pick it?

Begin checking about 50–65 days after sowing. Pick pods around 4–6 in. long while they are tender and snap easily.

Can I keep the harvest going?

Frequent picking encourages production. Successive sowings about 2–3 weeks apart can extend the harvest while enough warm season remains.

Can I freeze or can the beans?

Yes. Blanch before freezing and use tested pressure-canning directions for canning green beans.

Seed & Garden CalculatorsOpen the garden-fit planner, planting-window questions, or soil calculator only when useful

Uses this product’s recorded growing information. Local weather, soil, and garden conditions may vary.

Garden-fit planning for this variety

Will Contender Bush Bean Seeds fit your garden?

Check support, direct-sowing conditions, harvest use, succession timing, and available space. Start with the essentials, then open only the detail groups that matter to you.

Rules-based · no AI · optional answers

Add an optional ZIP code and planting date for a broad frost-window check.Use local forecasts and measured soil temperature for final planting decisions.
1Essential fitTiming, light, and space
2Temperature and exposureOptional microclimate detail
3Soil, drainage, and waterRoot-zone readiness
4Questions for this bean or pea seedCrop-specific decisions
5Seed-starting fit and patienceMatch the propagation work
Recorded product profileIntermediateEasyRead why
Soil test, pH, drainage, and amendment calculator Have a laboratory soil report? Enter pH, nutrients, texture, bed size, and site observations here. Open soil tools
Recorded soil typeLoamy
Recorded pH range6.0–6.5
Water needsModerate
LightFull sun

Laboratory report interpreter

Soil readiness for Contender Bush Bean Seeds

Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Enter only the values your report provides. The result compares them with this crop’s recorded needs and keeps laboratory recommendations authoritative.

Core report valuesStart here
Advanced laboratory valuesOptional method-aware detail

Full growing record

Complete growing and seedkeeping record

Starting and plantingSeed preparation, sowing, germination, transplanting, spacing, and early establishment
Direct sow after frost in soil above 60 F, 1 in. deep and 4-6 in. apart; rows 18-24 in. apart. Germination takes 5-10 days at 70-90 F. Give full sun, drained soil and steady moisture. Sow again every 2-3 weeks for successive crops.

Keep the bed weeded while plants are small. Water the root zone consistently during flowering and pod fill, allowing the soil to drain between irrigations. Avoid excess nitrogen, which encourages leaves at the expense of beans. Work around plants when foliage is dry, and rotate legumes with unrelated crops.
Season-long growing guideWater, fertility, support, weather response, pollination, containers, and care through maturity
Direct sow after frost in soil above 60 F, 1 in. deep and 4-6 in. apart; rows 18-24 in. apart. Germination takes 5-10 days at 70-90 F. Give full sun, drained soil and steady moisture. Sow again every 2-3 weeks for successive crops.

Keep the bed weeded while plants are small. Water the root zone consistently during flowering and pod fill, allowing the soil to drain between irrigations. Avoid excess nitrogen, which encourages leaves at the expense of beans. Work around plants when foliage is dry, and rotate legumes with unrelated crops.
Harvest, storage, and usesRecognizing maturity, harvesting cleanly, handling, storage, and crop-appropriate uses

Harvest and storage

Begin picking about 50-65 days from sowing while pods snap easily. Harvest every few days; refrigerate promptly or blanch and freeze. Use tested pressure-canning directions. For seed, leave selected healthy plants until pods are fully dry; shell and store cool and dry.

Common beans are largely self-pollinating, but insects can occasionally cross compatible varieties. Mark several healthy, representative plants and let their pods reach full dry maturity. Shell only dry pods, discard damaged or moldy beans, and dry the cleaned seed completely before airtight storage. Keep varieties separated and label saved seed with the variety, source and harvest year.

Uses and garden roles

Contender brings an early crop of tender green snap beans to small beds and kitchen gardens. Also sold as Buff Valentine, this dependable bush bean needs no trellis and produces flavorful pods for fresh cooking, freezing or canning. Pick at 4-6 in., before the seeds swell, for the best texture. Its early start and tolerance of warm weather make repeated sowings useful for extending the harvest.

Begin picking about 50-65 days from sowing while pods snap easily. Harvest every few days; refrigerate promptly or blanch and freeze. Use tested pressure-canning directions. For seed, leave selected healthy plants until pods are fully dry; shell and store cool and dry.
Seed savingSelection, pollination, isolation, full maturity, cleaning, drying, labeling, and storage
Common beans are largely self-pollinating, but insects can occasionally cross compatible varieties. Mark several healthy, representative plants and let their pods reach full dry maturity. Shell only dry pods, discard damaged or moldy beans, and dry the cleaned seed completely before airtight storage. Keep varieties separated and label saved seed with the variety, source and harvest year.
Pests, diseases, and troubleshootingPrevention, diagnosis, environmental disorders, common damage, and first-response checks
Cold, wet soil can rot seed before emergence. Watch for bean beetles, aphids, rust, leaf spots and root rots. Rotate crops, provide drainage, avoid wet-foliage handling and remove severely diseased plants. Harvest promptly before prolonged rain damages drying pods.
Frequently asked questionsDecision-focused answers that supplement the detailed guides above
Are Contender and Buff Valentine different here?
The supplier lists Contender as also known as Buff Valentine. This product follows that identification; it is not sold as a mixture.

How soon can I pick it?
Begin checking about 50–65 days after sowing. Pick pods around 4–6 in. long while they are tender and snap easily.

Can I keep the harvest going?
Frequent picking encourages production. Successive sowings about 2–3 weeks apart can extend the harvest while enough warm season remains.

Can I freeze or can the beans?
Yes. Blanch before freezing and use tested pressure-canning directions for canning green beans.
History and provenanceBotanical identity, cultivar history, regional or cultural context, uncertainty, and source records

Scientific name: Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Common name: Bush Snap Bean

Cultivar or variety: Contender

Contender is also sold under the name Buff Valentine. This bush bean is valued for an early crop of tender green snap pods on manageable plants that need no trellis.

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Customer experience

Reviews for Contender Bush Bean Seeds

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
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Rachael Irelan (United States)

Great green bean plants. I produced all of the green beans needed for the year from a 3ft x 3ft bed.

Hi Rachael, we're thrilled to hear your green beans are thriving! Thanks for sharing your success with our seeds. Happy gardening!

A
Anonymous (United States)

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Thank you for your support! We're glad you're happy with the seeds. Feel free to reach out if you need anything else.

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