How to Grow Wax Bean Goldencrop

Wax Bean Goldencrop

Phaseolus vulgaris

vegetable

Goldencrop is a bush-type wax bean variety producing bright yellow, tender pods ideal for fresh eating and cooking. This determinate variety is prolific and reliable, maturing quickly and producing abundant harvests over a concentrated period. The golden-yellow pods have a waxy appearance and rich flavor.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum

💧

Water: Consistent moisture, approximately 1-1.5 inches per week; water at soil level to avoid fungal disease; reduce watering as pods mature

📏

Spacing: 4 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 50-60 days

🌱

Planting depth: 1.5

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with moderate fertility

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost aged manure avoid excessive nitrogen

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9; plant after last frost when soil is warm

2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

7-10 days

Seeds sprout and develop cotyledons; small green shoots emerge from soil with initial leaflets appearing

Keep soil consistently warm and moist; ensure soil temperature is at least 70°F for optimal germination; thin seedlings if direct sowing

Vegetative Growth

2-3 weeks

Plant develops true leaves, compact bushy structure forms, and stem thickens; foliage becomes dense and vigorous

Maintain steady moisture and provide full sun; mulch around base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature; no fertilizer needed if soil is adequately prepared

Flowering

1-2 weeks

Small white or pale yellow flowers appear at leaf nodes; flowers develop in clusters along the stems

Continue consistent watering; avoid overhead watering which can cause flower drop; maintain moderate temperatures; do not over-fertilize with nitrogen as it reduces flowering

Pod Development & Maturation

3-4 weeks

Flowers give way to elongated yellow pods that gradually lengthen and fill out; pods remain waxy and tender at peak harvest stage

Maintain even soil moisture to prevent pod splitting and bitterness; pick pods regularly to encourage continued production; provide support if vining occurs

Harvest Ready

Ongoing until frost or plant senescence

Pods reach 4-6 inches long, are uniformly yellow, tender, and waxy in appearance; seeds inside remain small and immature

Harvest every 2-3 days to maximize yield and encourage new pod set; handle plants gently to avoid damaging vines and reducing future crops

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

corn squash pumpkin cucumber pea carrot lettuce radish marigold

Avoid planting near:

onion garlic fennel kohlrabi

Common Pests

Hand-pick eggs and adults; use neem oil or spinosad spray; row covers on young plants; rotate crops annually
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs; neem oil applications
Increase humidity with regular misting; use miticide spray; introduce predatory mites; reflective mulch
Store harvested beans at cool temperatures; freeze beans before storage; use diatomaceous earth in storage containers
Yellow sticky traps; neem oil sprays; reflective mulch; strong water spray to dislodge

Uses

🍳

Fresh Steaming & Sautéing

Culinary

Young tender pods are excellent steamed, sautéed in butter or oil, or blanched and frozen for year-round use. Their mild, slightly sweet flavor makes them versatile for various cuisines and side dishes. [source]

🍳

Salads & Raw Consumption

Culinary

Fresh raw wax bean pods can be sliced into salads or eaten as a crisp vegetable snack, offering a tender texture and delicate flavor. They pair well with vinaigrettes and other vegetables. [source]

💊

Nutritional & Health Benefits

Medicinal

Wax beans are rich in fiber, vitamins (particularly vitamin K and folate), and minerals like manganese and magnesium. They support digestive health and contain compounds with antioxidant properties. [source]

🏠

Canning & Preservation

Household

Whole pods or cut beans can be pressure-canned or frozen for long-term storage, allowing you to preserve the harvest for winter meals. Properly processed beans remain shelf-stable for 1+ years. [source]

🦋

Nitrogen Fixation & Soil Improvement

Wildlife

Like all legumes, wax beans form nitrogen-fixing nodules with rhizobial bacteria, enriching the soil with bioavailable nitrogen. Plowing bean plants back into the soil improves fertility for subsequent crops. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Pick pods when they are 4-6 inches long, bright yellow, and tender; harvest every 2-3 days to encourage continued production. Pods should snap cleanly when bent. Avoid harvesting when foliage is wet to prevent disease transmission. Pick in early morning when pods are crisp. For dried beans, allow pods to mature and brown on the plant, then shell and store in cool, dry conditions.

Fun Facts

🌱 Goldencrop wax beans are 'bush' or determinate beans, meaning they grow to a compact height (18-24 inches) and produce most of their crop within 2-3 weeks, making them ideal for succession planting.
🌱 The waxy coating on the pods is not artificial—it's a natural epicuticular wax that gives the beans their characteristic appearance and helps retain moisture.
🌱 Wax beans are the same species as green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) but are harvested at the same immature stage; the yellow color is due to the absence of chlorophyll, controlled by recessive genes.

Want personalized planting timelines?

Get started free