Dwarf French Bean Contender seeds

This hardy and early variety, Contender, is a dwarf French bean with light green pods that are 16 cm (6in) long and flat. Each pod contains pastel beige beans. Mexico is believed to be the country of origin of this highly rewarding and easy-to-grow variety.
Its productivity is high; its growth is never affected by poor weather conditions, and most importantly, it is one of the earliest varieties: it only takes 50 days after sowing to obtain the first harvest. It has a very pronounced flavour that allows for all culinary uses. Finally, it is very suitable for freezing and canning. Contender is harvested from July to October from April to July sowings.

Whether grown for their pods or beans, French beans are highly appreciated in gardens because they are very easy to grow. They are so reliable that the gardener knows the exact date when he will make his first harvest, 60 days after sowing.

Discovered in the New World and acclimatised in Europe from the 16th century onwards, the bean has now become an essential legume in all diets around the world. Native Americans cultivated it for its dried seeds, but it was the Italians who first ate the whole, immature pods in the 18th century.
Beans are climbers with indeterminate growth. Primitive varieties are all climbing and require support. Later, for practical reasons, dwarf varieties were selected, but all have tendrils that can wrap around a support.
The pods are generally green, sometimes yellow, striped with red or even purple. Among the varieties that are eaten at the thin or extra thin stage, there are string beans that have strings when ripe. Then the pod becomes parchment-like and loses its taste.
French beans are generally more fleshy and can be consumed entirely, both the seeds and the pods, even when fully ripe. More recently created varieties can be consumed when young and extra thin, or until they become more fleshy like a snap bean as they do not form strings.

Among shelling beans (i.e., beans whose seeds are consumed), a distinction is made between harvesting fresh beans and dry beans, which is 90 days after sowing.

Immature green pods are rich in vitamins A, B9, and C, as well as trace elements and minerals. Dry beans are also very rich in vitamin C, trace elements, and especially plant proteins.

Harvesting: the harvest of fresh beans or young pods begins 60 days after sowing. For fresh beans, it must be done before the pods start to dry and become wrinkled. The beans should barely take on colour. For pod consumption, the harvest should take place every 2 or 3 days, both at the fine and extra fine stage. The harvest of dry beans is done by completely cutting the plant, which is then suspended in a dry and ventilated place. They can be shelled as needed.

Preservation: freezing pods is now the most common method of preservation. To do this, trim, wash and blanch for 5 to 6 minutes in boiling water, then plunge into cold water and dry with a clean cloth. The beans can be kept in the freezer at -18°C (-0.4°F). However, canning is regaining popularity among an increasing number of consumers due to the inherent taste qualities of this preservation method. Like freezing, trim, wash, blanch, and then place the beans in jars, filling them with salted boiling water. Close the jars and sterilise them in a pressure cooker or with a steriliser for 1 hour and 30 minutes over medium heat. To do this, completely cover the jars with water after sealing them well.

Dry beans: when well dried, bean seeds can be stored for up to a year if stored under good conditions, such as in airtight jars.

Gardener's tip: beans, like all members of the Fabaceae family, can fix nitrogen from the air into the soil through plant-bacteria symbiosis. They can regenerate soils. Beans can be included in crop rotations after green manure.
Traditionally in Central and South America, beans are grown with squash and corn, forming a triad with positive companionship. This association is called three sisters. Beans also associate well with aubergines, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, and radishes as they protect each other. However, avoid planting them near alliums or fennel as their growth will be inhibited.

Spraying with nettle manure allows for effective control of aphids and strengthens the plants.