Greasy Grits Bush Bean brings Appalachian heirloom character to the garden with glossy green pods and a rich, nutty flavor. The distinctive smooth pod sheen gives this heritage bean its memorable name. Grow young pods for cooked green-bean dishes, or allow the crop to mature for dried beans in approximately 90 days. Picture a warm bowl of homegrown beans at your table and a portion of the harvest set aside for the pantry. Each packet contains 100 non-GMO, heirloom seeds.

Growing a Doomsday Garden by David Schulze

Germination Rate: 87%. Test Date: 12/25. TLM.

Texas Minimum Germination Rate: 70%

Why Choose Greasy Grits Bush Bean?

• Appalachian heirloom character: Grow a traditional variety valued for its distinctive pods and heritage flavor.
• Rich, nutty taste: Enjoy flavorful harvested beans in comforting side dishes, soups, and stews.
• Glossy green pods: The characteristic smooth, shiny surface sets greasy beans apart in the garden and harvest basket.
• Fresh and dried harvest options: Pick young, tender pods for cooking or allow pods to mature for shelled dried beans.
• Bush growth habit: Compact plants offer a practical alternative to tall climbing beans for gardeners planning bed space.
• Non-GMO, heirloom seeds: A packet of 100 seeds provides a traditional variety for garden-to-table growing and carefully managed seed saving.

Planting Tips for Success

• When to plant: Direct sow outdoors after the last frost when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F. Allow approximately 90 days for dried-bean maturity, with extra time for drying if needed.
• Sunlight: Choose full sun with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Soil: Plant in well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a pH of approximately 6.0–6.8. Avoid waterlogged beds.
• Depth and spacing: Sow approximately 1 inch deep and 2–3 inches apart, then thin to 4–6 inches apart. Space rows 18–24 inches apart.
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, flowering, and pod development. Water at soil level where practical, and avoid handling wet foliage.
• Support: Bush beans do not need a tall climbing trellis. If plants lean under their crop, short stakes or a low support can help keep pods off the soil.
• Fertilizing: Use a soil test to guide feeding. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can favor foliage over pod production.
• Fresh-pod harvest: Check plants regularly and pick pods while young and tender, before seeds swell noticeably. The existing listing gives approximately 50–60 days for fresh use; actual timing depends on conditions.
• Dried-bean harvest: Allow mature pods to become dry and papery. Shell and finish drying beans thoroughly before storage. If wet weather threatens, harvest mature pods and finish drying in a protected, well-ventilated place.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
• GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
• Integrity Pledge: David's Garden Seeds has taken the Seed Integrity Pledge.
• Vegetable Seed License: David's Garden Seeds has been granted a Vegetable Seed License for the State of Texas.

Doomsday Survival Garden Vegetable

• Pantry potential: Mature, thoroughly dried beans provide a harvest that can be stored for later meals when protected from moisture and pests.
• Compact garden planning: Bush growth fits a food garden without the tall support required by climbing beans.
• Seed-saving opportunity: Keep selected healthy plants for mature seed, with appropriate isolation and drying practices to help maintain the variety. Store planting seed separately from food beans.
• Plan enough growing time: Allow roughly 90 days to dried-bean maturity, plus drying time, rather than treating this as a quick emergency harvest.

Cooking Methods

• Southern-style green beans: Cut harvested young pods into pieces and simmer with onion and broth until tender. Bacon is an optional savory addition.
• Cooked dried beans: Sort, rinse, and soak harvested dried beans as appropriate. Drain, add fresh water, bring to a full boil, and cook thoroughly until tender using reliable bean-cooking guidance. Do not cook raw dried beans only on a slow cooker's low setting.
• Soups and stews: Add fully cooked shelled beans to soups and vegetable stews for a satisfying garden-grown ingredient.
• Bean casseroles: Combine thoroughly cooked beans with grains and vegetables for hearty baked dishes.
• Pantry storage: Store food beans only after they are completely dry, in clean, airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Inspect for moisture, mold, and pests before use.

Order Greasy Grits Bush Bean Seeds Today

Order your packet of 100 seeds today and bring Greasy Grits heirloom beans from your garden to your table.

Nutritional Information

Existing nutritional reference per ½ cup cooked dried beans, approximately 90 grams. Values apply to harvested food beans, not planting seeds, and are not a verified Greasy Grits-specific laboratory analysis.

• Calories: 112.
• Total Fat: 0.4 grams.
• Sodium: 2 milligrams.
• Total Carbohydrates: 20 grams.
• Dietary Fiber: 7 grams.
• Total Sugars: 0.3 grams.
• Protein: 7.5 grams.
• Iron: 2.1 milligrams (12% Daily Value).
• Folate: 128 micrograms (32% Daily Value).

% Daily Value describes a nutrient's contribution to a daily diet based on 2,000 calories per day. Actual nutrient content varies with growing conditions, maturity, and preparation. This reference does not describe the fresh green-pod recipe below.

Important Disclosures

• Variety Disclaimer: Heirloom plants can vary in size, color, pod sheen, and maturity. Results depend on growing conditions, climate, and gardening practices.
• Seed Storage: Keep planting seeds cool, dry, and protected from direct sunlight and moisture. If refrigerating in an airtight container, let the sealed container reach room temperature before opening to limit condensation.
• Planting Zones: Plan around your local frost dates, warm soil, and the length of your growing season rather than hardiness zone alone. Allow a full season for dried-bean production and consult local extension guidance for planting windows.

Grow something beautiful. Grow something delicious. Grow with David's Garden Seeds®.

Southern-Style Greasy Grits Green Beans

Enjoy freshly harvested Greasy Grits green pods gently simmered with onion and a little bacon for a comforting garden-to-table side dish. This recipe uses edible harvested pods, never the planting seeds from your packet.

Servings: 4 as a side dish. Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: approximately 40–55 minutes, depending on pod tenderness.

Ingredients

• 1 pound young, tender harvested Greasy Grits green bean pods
• 2 slices bacon, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1½ cups reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, plus more as needed
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Salt to taste, added after cooking
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, optional

Directions

1. Rinse the harvested pods under running water. Trim the ends and remove any strings, then cut into 1–2 inch pieces on a clean cutting board.
2. Cook the diced bacon in a heavy saucepan over medium heat for approximately 5–7 minutes, until cooked and lightly crisp. Transfer to a plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pan.
3. Add the onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds without letting it burn.
4. Add the cut beans, broth, pepper, and half the cooked bacon. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cover.
5. Simmer for approximately 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pods are fully tender. Add broth or water if the pan begins to dry. Tougher pods may require more time; judge by tenderness rather than the clock.
6. Taste, add salt only if needed, and stir in the optional vinegar. Spoon into a serving bowl with a little cooking broth and top with the remaining cooked bacon. Serve hot.

Recipe Tips and Storage

• Choose young pods: Harvest before the beans inside become large and the pods tough. This is a green-pod recipe, not a recipe for dried shelled beans.
• Meat-free option: Omit the bacon, use 1 tablespoon olive oil to soften the onion, and choose vegetable broth. A pinch of smoked paprika adds optional smoky flavor.
• Serving suggestion: Pair with cornbread, roasted vegetables, or your favorite main dish.
• Store safely: Refrigerate leftovers in shallow covered containers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F. Use within 3–4 days and reheat to 165°F.