Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners

Reviewed on 05/05/2005 by California Olive - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	California, United States Frost Free Season: More than 203 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
A couple of years ago, we did a "battle of the bush beans" comparison of several varieties for adaptability to our hot-summer climate. Brio was the grand champion based upon its performance both in high heat (up to 105 degrees after beans set) and in variable, cool fall weather that toughens some varieties. Pods remained sweet and tender in challenging growing conditions. Plants were healthy. This is a "concentrated set" bean, so don't expect extended harvests, especially in hot weather. Production shut down for all varieties of P. vulgaris that we trialed when it got hotter than about 105 degrees. But who wants to pick beans when it's hotter than that?