How to Grow Lancaster Sure Crop Beans
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Lancaster Sure Crop Beans
Phaseolus vulgaris
vegetableLancaster Sure Crop is a classic snap bean variety known for its reliable, abundant yields and disease resistance. These bush beans produce long, tender green pods that are excellent fresh, frozen, or canned. The variety has been a gardening staple since the 1940s due to its dependable performance and excellent flavor.
When should you plant Lancaster Sure Crop Beans in your zone?
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Example Lancaster Sure Crop Beans timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Lancaster Sure Crop Beans
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Lancaster Sure Crop Beans
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lancaster Sure Crop Beans dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; grows best in warm-season climates
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Germination & Seedling
10-14 daysSeeds sprout within 7-10 days. Seedlings emerge with cotyledons, developing first true leaves shortly after.
Ensure soil temperature is at least 60°F (preferably 70°F+). Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings if overcrowded, though Lancaster Sure Crop tolerates closer spacing than some varieties.
Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with multiple stems. Leaves are compound and bright green. Root system deepens and spreads.
Provide consistent moisture and warmth. Apply mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Monitor for early pest activity. Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers which promote leaf growth over pods.
Flowering
1-2 weeksSmall white or pale purple flowers appear at leaf axils along stems. Flowering typically begins 30-35 days after planting.
Maintain consistent watering during flowering—this is critical for pod set. Ensure adequate sunlight. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizer. Flowers will drop if stressed.
Pod Development & Early Harvest
1-2 weeks, beginning ~45-50 days after plantingFlowers fade and small green pods rapidly elongate to 5-6 inches. Pods are snap-tender at this stage with small, immature seeds inside.
Begin harvesting snap beans when pods reach 4-5 inches long but before beans inside visibly bulge. Regular harvesting stimulates continued production. Water consistently; inconsistent moisture causes pod toughness and splitting.
Peak Production & Harvest
2-3 weeksPlant produces abundant pods over a 2-3 week window. Pods remain tender and flavorful if harvested at optimal stage (4-6 inches, before beans inside mature).
Harvest every 2-3 days to encourage continued flowering and production. Pick pods gently to avoid damaging plant. Water consistently. Stop harvesting once pods become tough and beans visibly bulge (unless growing for dry beans).
Common Pests
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Hand-pick adults and egg clusters daily. Use row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil or spinosad if infestation is severe. Rotate crops annually.
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Spray with water to dislodge mites. Maintain consistent humidity and avoid over-fertilizing. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if populations spike.
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Use row covers on young seedlings. Hand-pick adults. Apply pyrethrin or spinosad if necessary.
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Improve air circulation around plants. Avoid wetting foliage during irrigation. Apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate spray at first sign of white powdery coating. Lancaster Sure Crop has good disease resistance.
Uses
Fresh Snap Beans
CulinaryLancaster Sure Crop's primary use is as a tender snap bean for steaming, sautéing, roasting, or eating raw in salads. The pods have excellent flavor and texture when harvested young, making them prized for fresh consumption. [source]
Freezing & Preservation
CulinaryThe variety was originally developed for commercial canning and freezing, making it ideal for food preservation. Blanch and freeze for year-round availability of garden-fresh beans. [source]
Dry Bean Production
CulinaryIf left unharvested, pods mature and beans inside can be allowed to fully dry for storage as dried beans, which can be cooked in soups, stews, and chili throughout the winter. [source]
Nitrogen Fixation & Soil Amendment
HouseholdLike all legumes, Lancaster Sure Crop plants have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules. Tilling plants back into the soil improves nitrogen content for next season's crops. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe delicate flowers attract bees and other pollinators, providing valuable nectar and pollen sources during the growing season. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest pods when they reach 4-5 inches long, before beans inside become visibly enlarged. Pods should snap cleanly when bent and be bright green with a tender texture. Harvest every 2-3 days during peak production season to encourage continued flowering. Early morning harvest provides the crispest pods. To avoid spreading disease, harvest only when plants are dry. If growing for dried beans, allow pods to remain on plant until completely brown and dry, then shell and store in cool, dry location.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Lancaster Sure Crop was introduced in the 1940s and became a favorite variety for commercial canneries and home gardeners alike due to its exceptional reliability and productivity.
- 🌱 The variety is named after Lancaster County in Pennsylvania, a major agricultural region, reflecting its heritage as a proven performer in American gardens.
- 🌱 Snap beans are physiologically picked at an immature stage before the pods become fibrous—the 'snap' refers to the audible sound of breaking a freshly picked, tender pod.
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