Navy Fleetwood Soup Bean Seed
Navy Fleetwood Soup Bean Seed

Navy Fleetwood Soup Bean Seed

Price: $1.49

Quick Facts:

  • Packet Contains: 100 seeds
  • Days to Harvest: 88
  • Seed Type: Open-pollinated
Plant Features

Navy Fleetwood beans are a versatile white navy bean known for their firm texture and reliable yields. Popular in soups and baked bean recipes, they hold their shape well during cooking and retain a pleasant, hearty texture even after reheating. These beans have a mild, slightly nutty flavor and are an excellent source of fiber and protein, making them a staple for home cooks and commercial processors alike.

Key Features

  • Firm Texture: Holds up well during cooking.
  • Mild Flavor: Great for various recipes.
  • High in Fiber: Nutrient-dense choice.

Soup Bean Growing Guide

Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)

  • Timing: Sow soup bean seeds outdoors after the last frost date, once the soil has warmed to at least 60°F, typically in late spring.
  • Location: Choose a sunny spot with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Soup beans prefer well-draining, moderately fertile soil.
  • Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, incorporating compost or a balanced fertilizer to improve nutrient levels and drainage.
  • Planting Seeds:
    • For bush soup beans, sow seeds 1 inch deep, spacing them 3-4 inches apart in rows.
    • For pole soup beans, sow seeds 1 inch deep, spacing them about 6 inches apart and provide a sturdy trellis or support structure, as pole varieties will climb.
    • Space rows about 18-24 inches apart for adequate airflow and ease of harvesting.
  • Thinning: Not necessary, as seeds are spaced for mature plants.
  • Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically takes 7-10 days. Once established, water evenly, providing about 1 inch per week, especially during flowering and pod development.

Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)

  • Timing: Soup beans are generally sown directly outdoors. However, if starting indoors, sow seeds 2-3 weeks before the last frost date.
  • Containers: Use deep pots to allow for root growth and minimize root disturbance during transplanting.
  • Planting:
    • Sow seeds 1 inch deep, placing 1 seed per pot.
    • Cover lightly with soil mix and water gently.
  • Germination:
    • Maintain a temperature of 70-75°F for optimal germination.
    • Expect seedlings to emerge within 7-10 days.
  • Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors once soil temperatures are consistently above 60°F and after the last frost. Space bush plants 3-4 inches apart and pole plants 6 inches apart, providing support for pole varieties.

General Care Tips for Soup Beans

  • Sunlight: Provide full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
  • Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering and pod formation. Mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.
  • Fertilizing: Soup beans are light feeders. Enrich soil with compost at planting; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can reduce bean production.
  • Weeding: Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture. Mulching helps control weed growth and maintain soil moisture.
  • Supporting Pole Soup Beans: Pole varieties require a sturdy trellis or other support structure for vertical growth, improving air circulation and making harvesting easier.
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