Royalty Purple Pod Bush Bean

Seed Count: Approx. 15 Seeds

Days to Maturity: 55

Bush variety, Snap bean

Description:  Royalty Purple Pod beans are quite the show stopper, and a great addition to any garden!  Not only does this plant produce purple pods, but it produces purple foliage and flowers too!  The 5 inch, stringless, bright purple, slightly curled pods are quite tasty, meaty, and great for vegetable soups.  These pods are super easy to blanch, since they turn dark green once they're cooked.  It has a bush habit, however, it does produce short runners, and would benefit if given something to climb.  This variety even germinates in cold soil, wet soil, and they're resistant to bean common mosaic virus!

How To Grow

Sowing:  Sow in average soil, in a sunny location, after the soil has warmed, as seeds may rot in cooler soils. Sow seeds 3 inches apart, in rows 24 inches apart, and cover with 1 inch of soil. Seedlings emerge in 10-14 days depending on soil and weather conditions. Thin to 12 inches apart when seedlings are 1-2" high.  Beans do great companion planted with beets, carrots, and cucumbers.  However, avoid growing near all members of the allium family, and sunflowers.

Growing:  In dry weather, keep soil well watered. Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Make sure foliage has time to dry in order to reduce disease.  Do know that this plant can get scorched with intense heat.  These beans grow in a bush habit with short runners, and would benefit from a support or something to climb.

Harvesting:  To harvest, pick pods when young and tender for the best taste and tenderness. Check vines often since this is a very productive plant.  By picking often, you are encouraging more bean production. Fresh beans are best used immediately, but will keep in the fridge for several days. To save seeds, allow the pods to mature fully and dry on the vine. If frost or rainy weather threatens before your beans are dry, pull the plants and allow them to dry indoors. They should be completely dry 10-15 days later. Remove the seeds from the pods by hand, and store the seeds in a cool, dry place for up to 3 years. These beans will also freeze well, if blanched first. Try these beans sauteed with butter, shallots, and garden herbs for a delectable treat.