(P. vulgaris) Empress is simply our best bush green bean for both eating quality and yield. We usually grow Provider as our first succession for its strength in cool soil germination and then Empress for the rest of the season. Vigorous plants are heavy with  long, straight 6-7” pods. Crisp and delicious they are slow to turn starchy and tough. Also great for canning and freezing. White seed.
55 days. UO

Packet: 1oz (~90 seeds)

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Direct seed after the last frost date when the soil has warmed. 

Note: Beans prefer well-drained, warm soil.

PLANTING DEPTH:

1"

SPACING:

3-5" between plants with 12-24" between rows*

*Pole beans require 5+' between rows.

EMERGENCE:

5-10 days @ soil temp 65-90F

LIGHT:

Full sun to part shade

FERTILITY:

Light to Moderate. Beans can produce their own usable nitrogen from atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that colonize specialized nodules in their roots. Too much soil fertility can cause excessive vegetative growth at the expense of pod set and maturity.
Beans prefer well-drained, warm soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Beans prefer warm soils and may rot at lower temperatures. This is particularly true for white-seeded varieties. You love beans. Patience.

It can be quite beneficial to mix bean seeds with commercially available bacterial "inoculants" to encourage the beneficial symbiotic relationship in the growing plant's root nodules, especially if growing on ground that hasn't been planted with beans before. This can increase yields and improve plant health. 

Avoid picking/weeding beans when the plants are wet. This will help prevent the spread of disease. 

Provide a trellis for pole beans. 

White-seeded varieties are more susceptible to rot when seeded in cool, wet, early-season conditions. 

Sow Snap Beans every few weeks for continued harvests.

Harvest dry beans when the pods are brown and dry.