The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Phaseolus vulgaris. You can't lose with this 1800s heirloom. 'Kentucky Wonder' (brown seeded) has wonderful, if not unsurpassed flavor. It out-produces most other pole beans with heavy crops of 9" long, gently curved, oval pods. A multi-use bean: drying, shelling and green. Stringless when young. Excellent for freezing. Good production even in hot climates. Disease resistant. 7"–9" long, ½" wide silvery-green pods; stringless when young, brown seeds. Pre-Civil War variety known then under different names, released as 'Kentucky Wonder' in 1877 by J. H. Gregory & Sons seed company. Resistant to bean common mosaic virus.[1]
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 foliate to reduce chance of fungal disease |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Row Spacing | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| 6" | 36" | 63 days from seed |
- Additional instructions: Frost sensitive annual. Bean seedlings are sensitive to root disturbance. Temperatures consistently above 90o F will prevent beans from forming. Fertilizer not needed.[2]
- 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: https://vric.ucdavis.edu/pdf/beans.pdf
Useful Resources
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Kentucky-Wonder-Pole-Bean-Seeds(Seed Source)
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Bean-Sow-and-Grow-Guide
- 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.