Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program





'Provider' Beans
 
Sub-Category: Bush
Green
 
Sub-Category 2:
Description: Bush green bean with 18-inch plants bearing 5 1/2- to 6-inch smooth, round, green pods with purple beans. Freezes well. Strong rooted. Resistant to bean mosaic virus (race 15), common bean mosaic, downy mildew and powdery mildew. About 50 days to maturity.
Days To Maturity: 50
Seed Sources: Seed Savers Exchange - updated in 2018
Park Seed - updated in 2018
High Mowing Seed - updated in 2018
Johnny's Selected Seeds - updated in 2018
Western Wonder, LLC - updated in 2018

 
Rating Summary
 
Overall: (4.2 Stars)Overall
Taste: (3.9 Stars)Taste
Yield: (4.4 Stars)Yield
Ease/Reliability: (4.7 Stars)Ease/Reliability
 
Reviews
 
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Number of Reviews: 25

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KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease

Reviewed on 01/12/2019 by Halfmoon Charlie - An intermediate gardener

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Saratoga, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Almost bulletproof, very dependable, good bean flavor. Keep up with the picking as they will get large and woody.
 

Reviewed on 11/30/2017 by CCE Rensselaer County - An experienced gardener

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Rensselaer, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Not as prolific as Scarlet Runner. \\\\r\\\\nGood in soup.
 

Reviewed on 10/12/2017 by Cutler Botanic Garden - An experienced gardener

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Broome, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Planted seed 6/27/17. Harvested as needed. Great taste and prolific provider.
 

Reviewed on 09/09/2017 by Wayne County CCE - An experienced gardener

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Wayne, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Early producer and good when picked early or as they grow longer.
 

Reviewed on 08/16/2013 by Moscow - An intermediate gardener

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Latah, Idaho, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Provider has done well for me in Idaho. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that it tends to need some support unless planted close together. I used some this year to make dilly beans. Wish the pods were a little longer and less curved.
 

Reviewed on 02/20/2012 by Carl - An experienced gardener

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Sullivan, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Truly provides a bountiful harvest. The only problem I\'ve encountered was when I tried these as a wide row, and experienced white mold. Did not have problems at recommended spacings.
 

Reviewed on 11/13/2011 by Luffa Zar - An experienced gardener

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Dane, Wisconsin, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

This bush bean provided nice tasty straight pods. Planted early in WI and as a late crop. I do like to help the bush stand as I have found the heavy beans fall over. Stakes on the row ends with twin to support plant works great. Keeps the slugs off the fruit.
 

Reviewed on 03/10/2011 by Little Minnie - An experienced gardener

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Sherburne, Minnesota, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

A great early bean. Holds well on the plant. Production is good and tolerance to cool soil is very good.
 

Reviewed on 08/18/2010 by Ferdzy - An intermediate gardener

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Ontario, Canada
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

These really only produced over a 3 week period, but boy, did they produce. Grew well in our sandy soil amended with manure. Do need regular water (doesn\'t everything.) Growing period is short enough that next year we will try planting 2 crops. Flavour on these is nice, not the ultimate bean but perfectly fine, especially if caught young. Like most beans, they get a bit tough when they are bigger. Need to be picked daily. Do not freeze very well.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 01/09/2010 by lewisn - An intermediate gardener

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Middlesex, Connecticut, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This is my standard bush bean. Good fresh flavor, though the flavor doesn't stand up to freezing as well as some others. Excellent yield of great looking, very uniform pods. Consistent winner at local fairs.
 

Reviewed on 08/23/2008 by wmamateur -

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Hampshire, Massachusetts, United States
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Great starter bean for an amateur grower. Perfectly respectable flavor. Amazing yeilds. Planted an entire row of them but I ended up ripping up 1/2 of it because I couldn't keep up, and still had enough that I was contstantly giving away to family and friends. Froze very well. Pick young or the beans can get tough, which is a bit of a trick because the plants are so prolific..
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 05/23/2008 by containergardener - An experienced gardener

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Los Angeles, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Provider grows very well densely planted (every 6 inches) in a raised bed in our community garden in coastal southern California. We have had two pickings so far and the plants are disease-free. The beans are very good quality, although not as good as Kentucky Blue or Jade. Highly recommended, particularly where disease may be a problem. Update: We had nine semi-weekly harvests (a month or so), before the plants stopped producing. While we enjoyed them, they do not compare to the Fortex and Blue Lake pole beans that we are harvesting now.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 04/13/2008 by SewingDiva - An intermediate gardener

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Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Very reliable and easy to grow as direct seed, huge yield but the taste didn't knock me out; I wish it were sweeter.
 

Reviewed on 02/01/2008 by BLAINE71 - An experienced gardener

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Columbiana, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

WE'VE GROWN PROVIDERS FOR YEARS. CAN'T BEAT THE YEILDS. NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH DISEASES. GREAT CANNED, AND THIS IS THE BEAN WE USE FOR DILLY BEANS. ALMOST ALWAYS STRAIGHT BEANS. TASTE GREAT!
 

Reviewed on 10/04/2007 by Nora - An intermediate gardener

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Clinton, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Provider beans have consistently produced bumper crops of excellent beans for the entire season for the last 10 years. Allow full sun and adequate air circulation to avoid white mold. Best if picked young. Frozen beans are not remarkable in texture.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 04/19/2007 by Natty - An experienced gardener

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Putnam, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I've tried a number of varieties over the past 30+ years, but have found nothing but consistency with Provider. Often get an extra picking after I thought they werere done. Best eating when pencil thickness. Good for freezing as well.
 

Reviewed on 09/11/2006 by Bill Pfeiffer - An experienced gardener

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Oneida, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

No reservations. This has become my favorite bush bean for succession plantings. I'm able to grow two crops if I plant the second by mid July. Pick them young--early and often--many won't get into the house!
 

Reviewed on 08/29/2006 by Thalia - An intermediate gardener

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Essex, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: Less than 6 hours per day

Once it blooms, it bears soon and prolifically. We always end up planting more than we can possibly eat! We've grown it for years - in the Adirondacks and in southwestern Connecticut - and always with success. I think it was tastier in Connecticut, though...
 

Reviewed on 02/05/2006 by plainsman - An experienced gardener

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Washington, Nebraska, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Can get tough and poor quality in hot weather. Not as reliable as some.
 

Reviewed on 07/30/2005 by NH Seacoast - An intermediate gardener

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New Hampshire, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I can't believe how big this crop is! I planted 2 4' rows and 2 weeks later, another 2 4' rows for the two of us. Some beans curled, but most are straight. We have had beans with several meals. Then I made dilly beans (a quick version) and they turned out so good, I doubled it for a party. Today I froze 1 1/2 #s, with that much again for my husband to make Portuguese Beans and Tomato stew. There's at least another picking out there, with more flowers.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 04/30/2005 by California Olive - An experienced gardener

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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

Provider may perform magnificently in cool, stormy or humid conditions, but it did not yield usable beans for me in hot, dry conditions. This seems to be one of those varieties which is climate-specific. It was so heat-sensitive (admittedly in tough conditions for beans - over 95 degree highs) that the west side of a double row, which received more afternoon sun, produced almost no beans, while the east side did produce some curly, tough beans. The plants grew pretty well, even though they did not produce.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 02/19/2005 by Ron - An experienced gardener

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Herkimer, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Excellent variety. This bean is easy to grow in raised beds. Has excellent flavor. Cans and freezes well. Tasty in sir-fry. Shows well at the fair.
 

Reviewed on 01/31/2005 by satinzap - An experienced gardener

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Nebraska, United States
Frost Free Season: Fewer than 103 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Excellent variety! We love this variety. The beans are quite tasty and produce abundantly. They also grow quite well in our sandy soil.
 

Reviewed on 10/19/2004 by GarlicGrower - An experienced gardener

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Tompkins, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This is my main bush bean variety. Some have better flavor, but Provider yields well and keeps on bearing if you keep the plants picked. \'test\'
 

Reviewed on 09/10/2004 by Bob B - An experienced gardener

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Chemung, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I've grown this bean for a number of years and always had a good crop. This year we've had 7 picking and they're still going without getting stringy.
 




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