If you’ve ever tasted fresh green beans, it’s hard to go back to canned. That’s why so many gardeners love the Jade bush bean.

It’s jam-packed with flavor and easy to grow. It doesn’t require a support trellis, and it produces some of the straightest bush beans in the business.

Keep reading to learn all about the Jade bush bean variety!

What Is a Bush Bean?

Bush beans are similar to pole beans, but they differ in their growth habit. While pole beans need stakes or a trellis to support their vines, bush beans can grow independently.

Pole beans growing on stakes. — Unlike bush beans, pole beans need structures for vertical growth.

The name says it all! Bush beans grow into a shrub-like plant that stays round and compact.

Bush beans can be further broken down into three categories: snap beans, shell beans, and dry beans.

Snap beans are harvested when the seeds are small, and the entirety of the bean pod is eaten fresh. An example of this bean is the star of this post – the Jade bush bean!
Shell beans are harvested a little later on in the season. Instead of eating the whole bean pod, you eat the beans within it. Examples of this bean are lima beans and Italian butter beans.
Dry beans are not harvested until they are dry in their pods. This occurs at the very end of the season. An example of this is the purple kidney bean.

Characteristics of the Jade Bush Bean

The Jade bush bean, a bush snap bean, produces straight, rounded pods that measure six to seven inches long. Within the stringless dark green pods are small white seeds.

The pods are easy to handpick because of their upright growth. The plants are also known for their high production yields. This makes them a top contender for home gardening.

Jade bush beans typically take 55 days to reach maturity, so you won’t be waiting long to enjoy these delicious green beans!

What Does It Taste Like?

The Jade bush bean is well-known for its sweet flavor. While the title “snap” bean makes it sound like you’re expecting a crunch, these beans are exceptionally tender.

How to Cook with Jade Bush Beans

The best part of growing Jade bush beans is enjoying them in the kitchen. Raw or cooked – these beans are head to beat!

Basic Preparation

Let’s be honest – green beans make the perfect side dish for just about any comfort food. They are easy to prepare with a few simple steps.

First, thoroughly wash your desired amount of beans with cold water. Move the beans to a cutting board for the next step. Using a sharp knife, remove the ends of the beans.

Fill a pot with enough water to cover the beans, and let it come to a boil. (You can also start this part before you prep your beans to save some time.)

Add the beans to boiling water, and let them cook for three to five minutes. Drain, season with salt, and serve immediately to enjoy the freshest beans.

More Fun Recipes

There are so many ways to use Jade bush beans in recipes besides basic preparation.

Here are just a couple of ideas for putting these garden favorites to use:

Dilly beans – This recipe takes your normal Jade bush beans and turns them into a spicy, canned treat. You’ll need three pounds of beans, canning jars, vinegar, pickling salt, garlic, and dill. You can also throw in some cayenne pepper for extra heat!
Jade soup – Try this recipe for a perfect end-of-season soup. Combining lima beans, Jade bush beans, and fresh herbs, you’ll have a Mediterranean-inspired dish with tons of flavor.

Growing It at Home

Planting

Lucky for you, Jade bush beans are easy to grow at home from seed. Pick any area with full sun and well-draining soil. Raised beds are also a great option for these beans.

After your last anticipated frost, plant the seeds one inch deep and three to four inches apart. You can also plant more than one seed and thin them out as the seedlings emerge. Keep three feet between your rows of beans.

The seeds should germinate in eight to 16 days and reach maturity in 55 days. To keep your harvest flowing throughout the season, plant a succession of beans every two to three weeks.

Care and Maintenance

Wait to water the area where the beans are planted until they germinate. Once your plants are up and growing, water the soil around the beans during dry spells. Avoid getting the foliage wet to prevent rot.

Although not required, you can fertilize your beans to up their productivity. Mix liquid fish fertilizer in a watering can, and apply it to the plants as they grow.

Harvesting

Jade bush beans are harvested as small, young pods. It’s best to pick them when they are slim and tender. They can get tough if left on the plant too long.

Long, straight green beans on a counter.

Where to Find Jade Bush Beans

Seeds

This bush bean is a garden must-have, so it’s important to know where to access seeds. Jade bush bean seeds can easily be purchased online from seed distributors such as Hoss, one of our favorites. You may also find these seeds at your local big box store or nursery.

Buy Them At Hoss Tools

Fresh Beans

To find fresh Jade bush beans, check out your local farmer’s market. There, you’ll have a good chance of finding the freshest beans. You may even be able to ask a local farmer for growing tips!

Bush beans are also typically sold at your local grocery store or health food store.

Give Jade Bush Beans a Try!

If you’re looking for a tasty, low-maintenance bush bean, look no further than Jade. The tender texture and sweet flavor are a treat for your palette. You’ll wonder why you didn’t try your hand at growing this bean a long time ago!

Closeup of green beans cooked in oil and spices.

We’re fans of all sorts of beans at Minneopa Orchards! Visit our beans page to discover all kinds of bean blog posts along with recipes and helpful growing tips.