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Snap Bean

Snap Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris GRIN 27632

vegetableannual

Snap beans (green/string beans) are warm-season annual legumes grown for immature pods and widely produced for processing and fresh market. Suitable for Zones 3-10 with warm soil planting after frost; frost-sensitive and nitrogen-fixing.

26/30

Crop Snowflake Score

Gross Revenue
$1,077

/acre

Net Return
—

/acre

Price Trend
stable
Establishment Cost
$568

/acre

Crop Insurance
Available
Years to Production
0

years

Overview

Growing Season

Plant
After last frost (soil 60°F+); typically May through late July for succession plantings – After last frost (soil 60°F+); typically May through late July for succession plantings
Harvest
50-60 days after planting – 50-60 days after planting
Frost-free days
60+
GDD (base 50°F)
1,050

Yield

Typical yield
3.4 tons/acre
Productive lifespan
1 years
Labor
35 hrs/acre
96%

Market Fit

4/6

Active Regional Buyers

2 active buyers on record purchasing this crop.

Price Trend Stable/Up

3-year price trend recorded as "declining".

Supply Below Demand

3 of 6 documented channels rate viability "strong". Sold into regional rather than national markets, vegetable supply here generally trails that demand.

Multiple Buyer Channels

6 of 6 documented market channels rate viable or better (farmers_market, direct_to_consumer, wholesale, csa). Multiple independent routes to market.

Value-Added Potential

4 viable direct-market channels (farmers_market, direct_to_consumer, csa, restaurant). Supports value-added and margin capture beyond wholesale.

Market Growth Projected

Mature vegetable market; growth over a 5-year horizon is expected to track population rather than outpace it.

Market Channels

farmers_market · Tender, just-picked snap beans command a premium over retail product that has spent days in transit. Multiple successive plantings extend the market window across summer and fall.
direct_to_consumer · Farm stands, U-pick, and CSAs all suit snap beans. U-pick reduces harvest labor — the single biggest production cost — and matches a willing customer base.
wholesale · Fresh wholesale faces commodity competition; processing wholesale (canning, freezing) operates on contract at low prices favorable only at scale. Specialty filet bean and yellow wax types move better at premium fresh wholesale.
csa · Mainstream summer share component. Successive sowings at 7–10 day intervals support reliable weekly distributions across an 8–12 week harvest window.
retail · Local grocers absorb modest volumes at premium during peak season. Tender quality fades within 3–4 days under typical retail handling, limiting shelf life and discouraging chain placement.
restaurant · Chefs purchase French filet (haricot vert) and specialty colored wax beans at premium. Standing weekly orders during peak season are common. Tender size grading (typically <8 mm) demands frequent picking.

Climate Fit

6/6

Hardiness Zone Match

Crop tolerates zones 3-10; region spans 5-6. Overlaps.

GDD Sufficient

Crop needs 1600 GDD (base 50F); region accumulates 2500+. Sufficient.

Precipitation Compatible

Crop needs ~20 in; region receives ~38 in/yr. Compatible, irrigation available as supplement.

Frost-Free Season OK

Crop needs 100 frost-free days; region provides ~180. Sufficient.

Chill Hours Met

Not applicable — annual crop has no winter chill requirement.

Climate Trend Favorable

Crop spans 8 hardiness zones (3-10). Wide adaptive range buffers against warming trend.

Fit by region

The farm matcher, run on each region's cited climate normals. Soil and site are not included here; add your own on the match page.

Match your farm
Finger Lakeszone 5b/6a · 2,200 GDD · 145 frost-free days · 38.29" rain

No limiting condition found. 5 criteria evaluated; 100% cited.

Strong fit
100/100
Heat accumulation (GDD base 50F)Frost-free seasonRainfallHigh-severity risksKnown buyers
Lake Erie Concord Grape Beltzone 6a/6b/7a · 2,923 GDD · 185 frost-free days · 41.09" rain

No limiting condition found. 5 criteria evaluated; 100% cited.

Strong fit
100/100
Heat accumulation (GDD base 50F)Frost-free seasonRainfallHigh-severity risksKnown buyers
Chautauqua Uplands (Allegheny Plateau)zone 6a · 2,364 GDD · 158 frost-free days · 45.93" rain

No limiting condition found. 5 criteria evaluated; 100% cited.

Strong fit
100/100
Heat accumulation (GDD base 50F)Frost-free seasonRainfallHigh-severity risksKnown buyers

Climate envelope & site

What the farm matcher compares your conditions against.

Climate envelope

Hardiness zone
n/a
Frost-free season
60+ days
Heat (GDD base 50°F)
1,050+
Winter chill
n/a
Rainfall
19.7–169.3 in/yr

Below the minimum, irrigation is needed; above the maximum the crop fails.

Soil pH target
5.8–6.6

Extension lime target; within 1.0 of it is correctable.

Site & structure

Spring frost at bloom
n/a
Needs cold-air drainage
n/a
Shade tolerance
none — full sun
Mature height
not yet recorded
Rooting depth
not yet recorded
Wind exposure tolerance
not yet recorded
Workable slope
not yet recorded

Height, rooting depth and shade tolerance are the inputs an alley or guild layout needs.

Soil Compatibility

Soil Texture

silt_loam (ideal)loam (ideal)clay_loam (suitable)sandy_loam (suitable)silty_clay_loam (suitable)sandy_clay_loam (marginal)loamy_sand (marginal)silty_clay (marginal)clay (marginal)sand (poor)

Drainage

well_drained (ideal)moderately_well_drained (ideal)somewhat_excessively_drained (suitable)somewhat_poorly_drained (marginal)excessively_drained (marginal)poorly_drained (poor)very_poorly_drained (poor)

Infrastructure Fit

6/6

Equipment Compatible

1 of 7 documented equipment items are crop-specific (14%) against a catalog median of 29%. Most needs are met by general row-crop or orchard equipment.

Storage Available

3 documented storage routes; at least one (Fresh cold storage (hydrocooled)) is reachable with conventional on-farm or third-party facilities.

Irrigation Compatible

Requires ~20 in. Deliverable with conventional drip or overhead irrigation.

Field Layout Suitable

Suited to the small-to-mid-size fragmented parcels typical of the region.

Labor Availability

Labor requirement not recorded. Catalog 75th percentile is 250 hr/ac.

Processing Proximity

2 processor/cooperative buyers on record for this crop, 2 within NY/PA/OH.

Equipment Requirements

planting

Precision Seed PlanterRequired

Standard row-crop planter with plates sized for bean seed. Plate planters or vacuum planters both work. Plant at 2-4 inch spacing.

$4,000

cultivation

Row CultivatorOptional

For mechanical weed control between rows. Cultivation must be shallow to avoid root damage. Less needed if using herbicides or mulch.

$2,000

spraying

Boom SprayerRequired

For herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide applications. Adjustable nozzle height needed as crop grows.

$5,000

harvesting

Mechanical Bean HarvesterOptional Specialized

Once-over snap harvesters for commercial operations. Small-acreage growers typically hand harvest. Custom harvesting often available.

$50,000

irrigation

Irrigation SystemOptional

Overhead or drip irrigation. Beans need 1 inch per week, critical during flowering and pod fill. Avoid overhead irrigation during bloom to reduce white mold risk.

$3,500

general

Tractor (50+ HP)Required

Used model sufficient. Needed for planting, cultivation, and spraying. Most field operations can also be custom hired.

$20,000

post_harvest

Cooling/HydrocoolerOptional

Rapid cooling essential for maintaining snap bean quality. Field heat must be removed within hours of harvest. Ice or forced-air cooling alternatives for small operations.

$3,000

Storage Requirements

Fresh cold storage (hydrocooled)

Temperature

40–45°F

Humidity

90–95%

Max Storage

10 days

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)

Temperature

40–45°F

Humidity

90–95%

Max Storage

14 days

Frozen (blanched)

Temperature

-10–0°F

Max Storage

365 days

Financial Return

4/6

Revenue Above Average

Gross revenue $1,040/ac vs catalog median $6,000/ac. Below median.

Input Costs Acceptable

Total input cost $850/ac vs catalog 75th percentile $6,300/ac. Within typical range.

Payback Period OK

Reaches full production in 0 years. Acceptable payback.

Insurance Available

Federal crop insurance or an equivalent risk product is available.

Revenue Per Labor Hour

Cannot compute — labor hours not recorded. Catalog median is $13.16/hr.

Grants/Subsidies

Vegetable crops are eligible under the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Economics Breakdown

Avg Price/Unit$271/$/ton
Gross Revenue/Acre$1,077
Annual Operating Cost$568/acre
Establishment Cost$568/acre
Total Input Cost—/acre
Net Return/Acre—
Revenue/Labor Hour—
Crop Insurance Available

Source: USDA NASS Vegetables 2025 Summary (Feb 2026), New York state tables. Price: NY processing $271/ton 2025. Gross: NY all-utilization value / harvested acres ($14.541M / 13,500 ac). Net nulled — legacy value untraceable. Legacy cost estimates retained. (2025)

Risk Profile

6/6

Manageable Pest/Disease

1 of 7 documented risks are high-severity (14%) against a catalog median of 36%. Risk load is manageable by conventional IPM.

Market Diversified

6 viable market channels of 6 documented, plus 2 named buyers. Not dependent on a single outlet.

Low Establishment Risk

0 years to full production at $0/ac establishment cost. Low establishment exposure.

Climate Resilient

Tolerates zones 3-10 (8 zones). Broad tolerance indicates resilience to seasonal variability.

Regulatory Burden Low

No crop-specific licensing or reporting regime beyond standard food-safety and pesticide rules.

Diversifies Portfolio

Adds a vegetable revenue stream distinct from the region's grape-dominated base.

Known Risks

disease

White Mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)high

Fungal disease producing white cottony growth on stems and pods. Develops hard black sclerotia that persist in soil for years. Favored by dense canopies and prolonged wet conditions.

Root Rot Complex (Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Pythium)moderate

Multiple soilborne pathogens cause pre- and post-emergence damping off, root decay, and stunted growth. Worst in cool, wet, compacted soils. Can cause significant stand loss.

Bacterial Blights (Xanthomonas, Pseudomonas spp.)moderate

Bacterial diseases causing water-soaked spots on leaves and pods, reducing quality and yield. Spread by rain splash, wind-driven rain, and contaminated seed. Includes common blight, halo blight, and brown spot.

pest

Aphids (Multiple species)moderate

Sap-feeding insects that stunt growth, cause leaf curl, and transmit Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BCMV) and other viral diseases. Heavy infestations reduce pod quality.

European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)moderate

Larvae bore into bean stems and pods, causing structural damage and pod contamination. Particularly problematic in late-season plantings near corn fields.

weather

Heat and Frost Sensitivitymoderate

Plants are killed by light frost. Temperatures above 80°F (27°C) cause blossom drop and reduce pod set. Optimal growth occurs between 60-70°F (15-21°C). Narrow window for ideal conditions.

Drought Stressmoderate

Inadequate moisture during flowering and pod fill causes blossom drop, poor pod set, and fibrous pods. Snap beans have shallow root systems and are less drought tolerant than dry beans.

Nutritional Yield

USDA FoodData Central
Profile based on Beans, snap, green, raw (pod form)
Edible mass per acre2,714 kg
Computed: 3.4 tons × 907.18 kg/unit × 88% edible

Macronutrients

NutrientPer 100 gPer acre
Calories31 kcal841,432 kcal
Protein1.8 g49,672 g
Total fat0.2 g5,971 g
Carbohydrates7 g189,187 g
Fiber2.7 g73,286 g
Sugar3.3 g88,486 g

Key micronutrients

Iron
1 mg /100g
27,957 mg / acre
Calcium
37 mg /100g
1,004,290 mg / acre
Potassium
211 mg /100g
5,727,168 mg / acre
Vitamin C
12.2 mg /100g
331,144 mg / acre
Vitamin A
690 IU /100g
18,728,653 IU / acre
Folate
33 mcg /100g
895,718 mcg / acre

Uncertainty: Per-acre values are estimates that compound the yield range, edible-fraction assumption, and a single representative nutrient panel. Treat them as order-of-magnitude planning numbers, not nutritional advice. Confidence: high.

Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem service data pending.

The next research-agent rotation will document this crop's contributions to pollinator support, soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.

Cultivars

Named varieties and what the sources say sets each apart. A cultivar-specific zone, chill or maturity figure overrides the species value above.

No cultivars recorded yet for this crop.

Grows With / Avoid Near

Documented interactions with other catalog crops — shared pests, allelopathy, rotation effects, alley and understory pairings — for companion, guild and rotation planning. Plan a combination with Snap Bean →

Avoid near, or plan around (47)

Grows with (13)

Tolerates (2)

Direction matters: a rotation benefit of A before B says nothing about B before A. Interactions are documented pairs only; absence is a research gap, not a clean bill.

Nearby Buyers

Radius from Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt:

Eden Valley Growers

Eden, NY · 30.0 mi

cooperative
Accepts contracts

Data Sources

Every data point on this page is traceable to its source. Below you'll find the complete provenance trail — which sources were used, when data was last verified, and a full change history.

Primary sources: Data sourced from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA resources, and regional research.

Economics data year: 2025 · Basis: lake erie View economics source →

89 tracked changes across 10 data categories

Core Crop Data

Oct 1, 20262 entries
Aug 17, 20261 entry
Region-neutral cleanup audit
Apr 16, 20261 entry

Storage Requirements

Risks & Threats

Jan 1, 20257 entries

Equipment Requirements

Jan 1, 20257 entries

Soil Preferences

Drainage Preferences

Crop Picker

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Your Location

  • Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt
  • NY / PA
  • United States
  • Zone 6a

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Experimental research database. AI-assisted, may contain errors. Not formal agricultural, financial, or planting advice. Verify with your local extension service before making decisions.

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