Bush Bean
Cantare is a French heirloom bush bean that delivers exceptional yields of slim, stringless pods in just 50 to 55 days. The dark green pods reach 4 to 5 inches long and snap cleanly off the plant, offering both stunning presentation and outstanding flavor that rivals any snap bean you'll grow. This variety thrives in zones 2 through 10 and produces prolifically whether you're growing for the home table or the farmers market.
6-8 inches apart
Full Sun
Moderate
2-10
?in H x ?in W
Annual
Moderate
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Dark green, stringless pods just 4 to 5 inches long emerge from compact bush plants that produce in abundance. The flavor sings as brightly as the yield, making Cantare equally at home on a home gardener's table or in a market grower's rows. Best of all, this heirloom carries excellent tolerance to bean mosaic virus, a disease that stops many other varieties cold.
Cantare excels as a snap bean, harvested young and tender for eating fresh, steaming, or sautéing. The stringless pods and clean flavor make them excellent for simple preparations that let the bean itself shine, from light blanching to stir-fries. Market growers favor this variety specifically for its consistent straight pods and visual appeal in direct sales.
Direct sow Cantare seeds outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, though 70 degrees or warmer is ideal for faster germination. Sow seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep and expect sprouts to emerge within 7 to 14 days under proper conditions.
Harvest Cantare pods when they reach 4 to 5 inches long and are still tender, typically 50 to 55 days after planting. Pick regularly as pods mature to encourage continued flowering and production throughout the season. The stringless nature of these pods means you can snap them straight from the plant without any fibrous resistance.
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“Cantare originates from France, where it was developed as a bush bean specifically bred for superior snap pod production. This heirloom variety has been preserved through generations of gardeners who valued its reliability, flavor, and market appeal. It represents the tradition of French vegetable breeding that prioritized both yield and taste.”