Navy Bush Bean

Seed Count: Approx. 15 Seeds

Days to Maturity: 95-105 days

Bush variety, Dry bean

Description:  Since the mid-1800s, the Navy Bean has been a staple food for the US Navy, which is where it got its name.  This nutritious, small, white oval bean is one of the best cooking beans around, because its firm skin keeps the beans from getting all mushy when they are cooked.  It's delicious with a smooth texture, and is great for soups, stews, or making baked beans.  These productive bush beans produce loads of pods that have 4-6 beans each, and grow up to 2 ft. tall.  Navy beans store exceptionally well canned or dried, and have some resistance to Anthracnose and Bean 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 shouldn't need support.  However, you can support them if they grow too heavy for themselves.

Harvesting:  To harvest, 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, upside down. 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.