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Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.

Comparing Black Bean vs. Banana Pepper vs. Acorn Squash

The comparison

Black Bean vs. Banana Pepper vs. Acorn Squash

Units
Growing facts for Black Bean, Banana Pepper and Acorn Squash, side by side
Fact
Black BeanPhaseolus vulgaris
Banana PepperCapsicum annuum
Acorn SquashCucurbita pepo
DifficultyEasyEasyEasy
Life cycleAnnualNot yet verifiedAnnual
Germination time7–10 daysNot yet verifiedNot yet verified
Germination temperature18–29 °C64–84 °F27–32 °C81–90 °FNot yet verified
Sowing depthNot yet verified6 mm¼ inNot yet verified
Spacing between plantsNot yet verified30 cm12 inNot yet verified
Days to maturityNot yet verified70–85 days from transplantingNot yet verified
SunFull sunFull sunFull sun
WaterModerateModerateModerate
ContainersNot yet verifiedYes, 19 L or largerYes, 5 gal or largerNot yet verified
Frost toleranceTender (no frost)Tender (no frost)Not yet verified
Soil pHNot yet verifiedpH 6.0–6.5pH 6.0–8.0
Toxicity to catsNot yet verifiedNot yet verifiedNon-toxic
Toxicity to dogsNot yet verifiedNot yet verifiedNon-toxic
Links
How to grow black beanRemove black bean
How to grow banana pepperRemove banana pepper
How to grow acorn squashRemove acorn squash

Up close

Meet the seeds

What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.

  • Young green bean seedlings with heart-shaped leaves growing in mulched garden soilVegetables

    Black Bean

    Phaseolus vulgaris

    Difficulty: Easy

    Black beans are a dry-seed type of the common bean. Sow them in full sun after frost, and harvest once the pods have dried on the plant.

    How to grow black bean
  • Banana peppers, three pale green tapered pods with stems on a white backgroundVegetables

    Banana Pepper

    Capsicum annuum

    Difficulty: EasyGrows in pots

    Banana peppers are mild, sweet Capsicum annuum peppers that grow best in full sun with evenly moist soil. Start seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, then set plants out after frost danger has passed.

    How to grow banana pepper
  • Acorn squash growing on the vine among large leaves and a yellow flower in a garden bedVegetables

    Acorn Squash

    Cucurbita pepo

    Difficulty: Easy

    Acorn squash is a sprawling annual vine that prefers full sun and moderately moist soil. It is easy to sow from seed when the soil is warm, and it is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

    How to grow acorn squash

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The table, row by row

How to read a comparison

Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.

  1. Sprouting

    Germination time and temperature

    How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.

  2. Sowing

    Sowing depth and spacing

    How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.

  3. Timing

    Days to maturity and life cycle

    How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.

  4. Light and water

    Sun and water

    Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.

  5. Space and weather

    Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH

    Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.

  6. Pets

    Toxicity to cats and dogs

    Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

Quick wins

Fastest to sprout

Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.

Pet friendly

Safe around cats and dogs

Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.

Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.

Comparing

Questions about comparing

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Where do the facts come from?
From each seed's profile. Every fact there is researched and reviewed by our editors before it goes live.
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Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.

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