The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Phaseolus vulgaris. Great for small areas in the garden or for growing in patio containers. 'Pencil Pod' is an heirloom variety popular with gardeners since it was introduced in 1900. The “slim as a pencil” curved yellow pods are 6" long, stringless, and tender. Unlike green beans, these black-seeded, yellow, was snap beans are easy to see among the foliage. Grow in the ground or in containers. Disease resistant to bean common mosaic virus and rust.
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Trellis Needed | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
When to Plant Your Seedling
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | 65°F, ideally 70°–85°F | The soil needs to be rich in organic matter, well drained, loose, and warm | Evenly moist but not soggy. Water soil not foliage to reduce chance of fungal disease |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Plant Size | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| 4" | 60 days from seed |
- Additional instructions: Temperatures consistently above 90o F will prevent beans from forming. Fertilizer not needed.[1]. Beans are sensitive to root disturbance so transplant very carefully.
- Harvesting instructions: Harvesting instructions: Snap beans are ready to pick when the pod "snaps" or breaks in half cleanly. This is when the seeds have just begun to form and the pods are several inches long (depending on the variety). Hold the stem with one hand, and the pod with the other hand to avoid pulling off branches, which will continue to produce. At season's end, plants are great compost material if they are disease-free.[1]
- Common Diseases and Pests
- Please see link starting on page 5 for pests and disease:https://vric.ucdavis.edu/pdf/beans.pdf
Useful Resources
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Bean-Sow-and-Grow-Guide(Seed Source)
- http://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/garden-help/vegetables/beans/
- https://sfbaygardening.com/resources/bay-area-planting-calendar/
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.