I've grown Jade.I don't know why it is so expensive but many catalogs carry it now so it might be worth it to shop around. I grow it every year because I am so pleased with it. Be warned, it is picky to germinate. The soil must be warm, and the moisture must be consistent throughout germination. But once they get started they bear for a long time. the beans are carried high. The color is dark and the flavor is very good. They also freeze well, holding their shape, color and flavor well.They are somewhat slender, very tender beans. I've never tried canning them just because I don't like canned beans.
Hope this helps.
Kathy

I grow them every year. The flavor is mild, the beans very tender, never tough or stringy. My spring planting last year kept bearing until the first frost of fall. They also don't seem to have much trouble with diseases, in my experience.

If they are picky to germinate, would soaking the seeds in advance be of any value?

My cousin in Indiana swears by this variety for flavor and production - it is the only variety he will grow. Based on his recommendation I am trying Jade this year as a trial against my usual favorites. Jade would have to be very good to replace any of my favorites but might make a nice addition. I can always find room to squeeze in just ONE more variety! :-)

ltilton, So you do need not need to stagger plantings to keep a good supply of beans throughout the year? I know my blue lake, (my dad swears by) always pushes a hard set of beans for 3 weeks and then they slow down. If you pick the blue lake much after 3 weeks they get woody. I always plant contender first thing and then switch to blue lake. This may give a chance for the soil to warm up and plant the jade. This year I'm trying E-Z snap and maybe the jade.

I always do make additional plantings, planning to pull the old plants when they give out. But last year they just kept going and going. I had a lot of beans.

But I'll still do at least two plantings, to be sure.

I grew Jade last year on the recommendation of my Uncle in Illinois. It was easy to grow and a good producer, but I thought the flavor was absolutely nothing to brag about. I am a far bigger fan of pole beans, and have yet to find a bush bean that I really like, though.

I checked my price lists, Jade is cheaper than many of the newer PVP varieties so it is not overly expensive. Osborne as an example sells it at $3.55 for 1000 seed. Maxibel on the other hand sells for $7.65 per 1000. Valentino which has been very good for me at $3.75 per 1000.

The price I was quoted for jade was $2.88 for a 1/2 pound jacket is what he called it. The Contender was $1.15 for the same. Claims its wholesale, but I doubt it.

Patented varieties do include developmental costs. That is why they are patented to help the breeder recoup costs. Seed production is controlled. Older varieties like Contender can be grown by anyone for seed purposes. Jade PVP 9200052. 1991 Syngenta. Should have expired by now. Probably why it is now being promoted to home gardeners.
My main supplier Twilley sells Jade for $4.20per 1000. Blue Lake 274 at $5.75 lb.

I planted jade seeds this year but every plant had severe leaf mutations, most with quadrifoliate instead of trifoliate leaves, some leaves with multiple central veins that split off and created multiple leaftips, etc. It was so freaky looking I pulled out all 30 plants. I haven't seen anything like that and I planted at least 15 bean varieties this year alone. If not due to mutagenic breeding I assume maybe post office xray of seeds could cause it, but not sure. In any case it was freaky and I disposed of that seed packet.

JADE! All of the Amish in my heavily Amish populated area grow it and we have for four years. It stays tender much longer than all the popular varieties and has great green bean taste. We freeze 20 gallons a year and eat fresh every night while in season(June to October in WNY). best so far is JADE!!!!!!!!

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I have grown Jade for 10 years. You honestly get tired of picking them. I never get tired of eating them though. They produce all the way until the hardest frost. Easy to freeze for winter, and much better than canned from the grocery store! I have to give pounds away, but I don't mind. Nice to see a smile on a face that enjoys them!