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Heirloom

Empress Snap Green Bean

Quick Facts:

  • Open-pollinated variety ca.1979
  • Our best-tasting stringless bean
  • Heavy-producing, bush-type plants
  • Widely adapted
  • 55 days to harvest

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Quantity: Packet (50 Seeds)

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We ship to all areas of North America including the United States, its territories and outlying islands, and Canada. International orders may incur an additional charge to cover the handling of customs paperwork. Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt. Full warranty information can be found here.

Empress Snap Green Bean

More about Empress

Phaseolus vulgaris

By popular vote, Empress is by far the best-tasting snap bean we've grown (and we've tried many).  While it is as good of a canning bean as any other, the flavor of fresh steamed or sautéed Empress is in a league of its own.  Healthy, 20-inch-tall plants produce heavily and consistently across a variety of environments.  If you can grow only one snap bean variety, we highly recommend "Empress".  Bush habit.  Harvests begin approximately 55 days after sowing. Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Phaseolus vulgaris

By popular vote, Empress is by far the best-tasting snap bean we've grown (and we've tried many).  While it is as good of a canning bean as any other, the flavor of fresh steamed or sautéed Empress is in a league of its own.  Healthy, 20-inch-tall plants produce heavily and consistently across a variety of environments.  If you can grow only one snap bean variety, we highly recommend "Empress".  Bush habit.  Harvests begin approximately 55 days after sowi... read more

read less

Phaseolus vulgaris

By popular vote, Empress is by far the best-tasting snap bean we've grown (and we've tried many).  While it is as good of a canning bean as any other, the flavor of fresh steamed or sautéed Empress is in a league of its own.  Healthy, 20-inch-tall plants produce heavily and consistently across a variety of environments.  If you can grow only one snap bean variety, we highly recommend "Empress".  Bush habit.  Harvests begin approximately 55 days after sowing. Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.

Gardener holding seedlings
person holding seedlings

How to Grow Bush Beans

Growing heirloom bush beans is a fun and rewarding garden endeavor and it couldn't be easier! Heirloom bush beans perform best in well-drained soil of normal fertility. Beans do not require supplemental nitrogen as they are able to fix their own, however a fall application of well-aged manure or compost will help to boost yields in poor soils. Avoid planting beans in low-lying or poor-draining areas as this can predispose seedlings to fungal diseases and damping off.

After the danger of frost has passed and daytime soil temps average at least 60 degrees, sow the bean seeds 1" deep, 4-6” apart in rows 24-36” apart. Avoid planting when cool, wet weather is forecast as this can increase the occurrence of fungal diseases and damping off. Water no more than necessary, or one inch per week if rainfall is not adequate.

Transplanting beans is generally not recommended as the roots are fragile and don't like being disturbed. For this reason, it is best to direct sow bean seeds in place.

Insect Pests

Mexican Bean Beetles and Japanese Beetles can be controlled using a simple homemade insecticidal soap solution. Pheromone-based Japanese Beetle traps can also be effective at minimizing damage to plants. Finally, selection of tolerant cultivars is important in areas with known insect issues.

Diseases & Other Problems

Consult your local extension office to determine which diseases are most common in your area. Site selection is key in keeping bean diseases at bay. Select well-draining sites that do not have a history of disease. Giving plants ample space will allow leaves to dry more quickly and slow the spread of disease. Remove plant debris in the fall and turn over soil to minimize disease carryover. Avoid planting beans in the same location for at least two years. During hot and dry periods, beans may stop flowering or may drop flowers. Pod production will resume once moisture has returned.

Avoid harvesting beans in the morning before the leaves have dried or after a rain as this can spread disease. Timing the harvest is a matter of personal preference. Stringless beans are typically harvested before the seeds reach an appreciable size, while string beans are often harvested once the beans start to bulge in the pods For dry beans, individual pods may be harvested as soon as they have begun to yellow. Alternatively, entire plants may be pulled once a majority of pods have yellowed. Allow pods to dry for about four days before shelling. Once shelled, allow to cure for another week. Place in an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place. Dry beans can be stored for several years under these conditions. If vacuum-sealed with a desiccant bag in the container, they will keep for up to 30 years.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Beans are self-pollinating plants with perfect flowers that contain both male and female floral organs. Pollination typically occurs before the flower has opened, therefore crossing in beans is fairly uncommon. Isolation distances of a few feet are usually sufficient to prevent cross-pollination, so long as plants are not allowed to intermingle.

HARVESTING SEED:

Beans that are being saved for seed are harvested exactly as are dry beans. Mature yellow or brown pods are pulled and allowed to dry completely. The pods can then be "shelled" or opened to release the beans.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Bean seeds will maintain at least 50% germination for four years when stored under ideal conditions.

Boy with a bowl of dry beans

Customer Reviews

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As delicious as advertised

My Empress beans are just now maturing and while I was slightly skeptical going in that the flavor was better than any green bush bean, I have to admit, the taste is exceptional. They were the second bush beans planted this spring and are picking up where old reliable Contender is leaving off. I had good germination despite our usual heavy spring rains, the plants are bearing heavily now and are nice and healthy. I think this variety is an absolute keeper for me.

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