With round, straight, long pods, ‘Derby’ bush bean is a good choice for the home vegetable garden. The stringless pods are extra tender, flavorful and easy to pick. The seeds develop slowly and so the pods can be picked over a long period of time without becoming tough and stringy. Plants are resistance to Bean Common Mosaic Virus and tolerant of powdery mildew. At 15-20” high, they never have to be staked. An All America Selection winner in 1990 and still popular.
Days to Harvest: 57.
Planting Date: When soil is at least 65 F.
Spacing: Plant 1-1½” deep, 1” apart, in rows 24-36” apart. Thin to 2-3” apart.
Germination: 6-10 days.
Size: Plants, 18-20” H x 24” W; fruit, 6-7” best harvested at 5”.
Light: Full sun.
Water: Keep evenly moist through out the growing season.
Soil: Average, moist, well drained; benefit from working 1-2″ of composted manure into the soil before planting.
Fertilizer: Beans can provide themselves with nitrogen. In poor soil add a fertilizer low in nitrogen (first number), and high in phosphorous and potassium, like 5-10-10.
Care: Harvest when beans are about 5’ long.
Pests and Diseases: Deer, birds, Mexican bean beetle, rust.
Suitable for containers? Yes.
Karen Meyers