Snap Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
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.
Crop Snowflake Score
/acre
/acre
/acre
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
- 100+
- GDD (base 50°F)
- 1,600
Yield
- Typical yield
- 3.4 tons/acre
- Productive lifespan
- 1 years
Market Fit
Active Regional Buyers
Established crop with known regional buyers
Price Trend Stable/Up
Price stable over past 3 years
Supply Below Demand
Regional supply roughly balanced with demand
Multiple Buyer Channels
Multiple market channels: wholesale, retail, processing, and/or direct
Value-Added Potential
Limited value-added processing opportunities
Market Growth Projected
Stable market outlook
Market Channels
Climate Fit
Hardiness Zone Match
Region's hardiness zone within crop range (3.0-10.0)
GDD Sufficient
Regional GDD (2600) meets crop requirement (1600)
Precipitation Compatible
Regional precipitation (~40 in/yr) compatible with crop needs
Frost-Free Season OK
Frost-free season (160 days) meets crop requirement (100 days)
Chill Hours Met
Chill hour requirement N/A for this crop type or met by default
Climate Trend Favorable
Climate projections remain favorable for this crop in the region
Soil Compatibility
Soil Texture
Drainage
Infrastructure Fit
Equipment Compatible
Standard farm equipment compatible or easily adapted
Storage Available
Cold storage needed; may require investment
Irrigation Compatible
Irrigation beneficial; existing vineyard irrigation systems adaptable
Field Layout Suitable
Vineyard field layouts suitable for this crop
Labor Availability
Moderate labor requirements; manageable with planning
Processing Proximity
Processing/packing facilities within viable distance in WNY
Equipment Requirements
planting
Standard row-crop planter with plates sized for bean seed. Plate planters or vacuum planters both work. Plant at 2-4 inch spacing.
cultivation
For mechanical weed control between rows. Cultivation must be shallow to avoid root damage. Less needed if using herbicides or mulch.
spraying
For herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide applications. Adjustable nozzle height needed as crop grows.
harvesting
Once-over snap harvesters for commercial operations. Small-acreage growers typically hand harvest. Custom harvesting often available.
irrigation
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.
general
Used model sufficient. Needed for planting, cultivation, and spraying. Most field operations can also be custom hired.
post_harvest
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.
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
Finance Fit
Revenue Above Average
Gross revenue ($663/acre) below regional average
Input Costs Acceptable
Annual operating costs ($568/acre) within typical farm budgets
Payback Period OK
Annual crop; returns in first season
Insurance Available
Federal crop insurance available
Revenue Per Labor Hour
Labor-intensive; revenue per labor hour may be modest
Grants/Subsidies
Grant and subsidy programs available (Specialty Crop Block Grant, EQIP, Beginning Farmer, etc.)
Economics Breakdown
| Avg Price/Unit | $195//ton |
| Gross Revenue/Acre | $663 |
| Annual Operating Cost | $568/acre |
| Establishment Cost | $568/acre |
| Total Input Cost | —/acre |
| Net Return/Acre | $8 |
| Revenue/Labor Hour | — |
| Crop Insurance | Available |
Source: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA RMA, regional budget studies (2025)
Risk Fit
Manageable Pest/Disease
Moderate pest/disease pressure; manageable with available methods
Market Diversified
Market access diversified across multiple channels
Low Establishment Risk
Low establishment risk; quick to establish or low upfront investment
Climate Resilient
Moderate climate resilience for the region
Regulatory Burden Low
Minimal regulatory burden for production and sale
Diversifies Portfolio
Diversifies farm revenue away from grape monoculture
Known Risks
disease
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.
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 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
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.
Larvae bore into bean stems and pods, causing structural damage and pod contamination. Particularly problematic in late-season plantings near corn fields.
weather
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.
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
Nutrition data pending.
Research agents will profile Snap Bean against USDA FoodData Central on the next maintenance pass. Per-acre nutritional yield will appear here once the per-100g panel is recorded.
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.
Nearby Buyers
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 · Region: lake_erie
52 tracked changes across 8 data categories