Jade Bush Green Garden Bean

I planted these Jade green beans in 3 different locations, 3 different times and they were a complete disappointment. Out of the 10 seeds that I planted, only TWO actually germinated. Of those two plants, one was so stunted and deformed that it only grew to about 3 inches tall before it became so diseased that I pulled it. The other plant did grow, but only one main stem with a couple branches at the very top. It did produce a couple flowers but the following beans that formed didn't grow. I tasted Jade green beans for the first time last year (a friend grew them, from seeds she got at a local feed store) and loved them. So, this year I searched for this bean variety for a while before finding it from a company I was already going to order from and was really looking forward to growing it. So I was very, very disappointed. (Sorry to say, this was not the only failure of seed from my first ever Victory order.)

My standby summer beans for fresh eating over several years has been Maxibel (bush - fine stringless tender) and Seychelles (pole - fine stringless tender). They are strong performers with great taste and freeze well - no blanche. But I've been searching for my late summer production bean for canning. I planted Jade - 27 plants 7/22 and started harvesting today at 33 days. I couldn't believe my eyes and picked a small bowl of 6inch beans came into the house cut into bite sized then into a covered bowl w/water and microwaved 5min. The taste was incredible! Tender stringless - the perfect bean. Starting tomorrow morning I will be regularly picking Jade and expect 1/2-3/4lb per plant. The secret is to use inoculant and plant seeds in the heat of summer (my bed at six inches was 78*) and provide even watering once plants had 4 leaves - I lay the hose on the ground and allow to slowly "flood" the bed. My 3ftx18ft bean bed was added this year and I hadn't gotten drip irrigation installed which was a good thing because I realized Jade needs more water than I realized. I fertilized the bed before planting cultivating in balanced 4-4-4 time release and worm castings. Grower cloth covered the entire bed, planting holes burned in at 6inches and 2inch chopped straw as mulch. Seeds and inoculant went into each hole at 1/2inch. I will continue planting Maxibel and Seychelles for summer eating but hands down Jade is my "go to" production bean. I was blown away with this bean variety. (Hint: To preserve the rich green color and fresh picked taste/texture like commercial processers, I always add 50mg zinc tablet into each pint jar (2-qt jar).