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How to Grow Yellow Wax Bean 'Goldcrop'

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Yellow Wax Bean 'Goldcrop'

Phaseolus vulgaris

vegetable

Goldcrop is a high-yielding bush bean variety prized for its bright yellow, tender pods and exceptional flavor. This determinate variety is reliable, disease-resistant, and perfect for both home gardeners and commercial production. The beans produce prolifically over a concentrated harvest period, making them excellent for canning and freezing.

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Example Yellow Wax Bean 'Goldcrop' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Yellow Wax Bean 'Goldcrop'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Yellow Wax Bean 'Goldcrop'

    Around Jun 6

    ≈ 50 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Yellow Wax Bean 'Goldcrop' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum
💧
Water: Consistent moisture, 1-1.5 inches per week; water at soil level to prevent leaf diseases; do not overwater as beans prefer slightly drier conditions than many vegetables
📏
Spacing: 4 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 50-60 days
🌱
Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Aged manure Balanced NPK fertilizer (10-10-10) Avoid excessive nitrogen

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-10; prefers warmer zones 5-9 for best production

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Germination

7-10 days

Seeds sprout and first leaves (cotyledons) emerge from soil

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; warm soil (60-70°F minimum) promotes faster germination; protect seedlings from birds and slugs

2

Seedling/Vegetative

2-3 weeks

True leaves develop; plant grows bushy with multiple branching stems; no flowers yet

Thin seedlings to proper spacing; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer which promotes leaf growth at expense of beans; water regularly and weed carefully

3

Flowering

1-2 weeks

Small yellow flowers appear at leaf nodes along stems; flowers are self-fertile

Maintain consistent watering without waterlogging; flowers may drop if stressed by drought or temperature extremes; avoid high-nitrogen fertilization

4

Pod Development

2-3 weeks

Flowers fade and bright yellow pods begin forming and elongating; pods reach tender, harvestable size

Continue consistent watering; provide balanced nutrition; watch for pests during this critical stage; pods develop rapidly in warm weather

5

Harvest/Mature

Ongoing, 2-4 weeks of regular harvest

Pods reach 5-7 inches long with tender, snap-breaking texture; beans inside are immature; mature seeds appear if left unharvested

Harvest regularly every 2-3 days to encourage continued production; pick pods when pods snap cleanly; handle plants carefully to avoid damaging stems and future pods

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Corn Squash Cucumber Pumpkin Radish Carrot Lettuce Nasturtium Marigold

Avoid planting near:

Onion Garlic Fennel Kohlrabi Other bean varieties (to prevent cross-pollination if seed-saving)

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick adult beetles and yellow egg clusters; use row covers on young plants; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation is severe; plant early to avoid peak beetle season

  • Use row covers during early growth; hand-pick beetles; spray neem oil; plant early or late to avoid peak populations

  • Maintain consistent soil moisture as stressed plants are more susceptible; spray with forceful water to dislodge mites; use miticides if infestation is severe

  • Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; monitor regularly

  • Use disease-resistant seed; control aphid vectors; remove and destroy infected plants; do not touch plants when wet to prevent spread

  • Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or baking soda spray (1 tbsp per gallon water) at first signs

Uses

🍳

Fresh Cooking & Steaming

Culinary

Tender yellow pods are excellent fresh, steamed, sautéed, or stir-fried as a vegetable side dish. The pods have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and crisp texture when cooked briefly. [source]

🍳

Canning & Preservation

Culinary

Goldcrop beans are ideal for home canning and freezing due to their uniform pod size, tender texture, and disease resistance. They retain their bright yellow color and crisp texture when preserved properly. [source]

🍳

Dried Shelling Beans

Culinary

Mature, fully-dried seeds can be stored long-term and used in soups, stews, and other cooked dishes. The dried beans have a nutty flavor and good nutritional profile. [source]

🏠

Nitrogen Fixation & Soil Improvement

Household

Like all legumes, beans form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, enriching soil naturally. Incorporating bean plants back into soil improves fertility for future plantings. [source]

🦋

Garden Biodiversity

Wildlife

Bean flowers attract pollinators like bees and beneficial insects. Growing beans supports local ecosystems and improves pollination for nearby plants. [source]

Harvest Tips

Pick pods when 5-7 inches long and pods snap cleanly; harvest every 2-3 days to encourage continuous production; pick in the early morning when pods are crisp and cool; handle plants gently to avoid damaging future pods; snap or cut pods cleanly with fingernails or small scissors; younger, tender pods have best flavor; pods left to mature fully will reduce future production

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Goldcrop was developed specifically for commercial canning operations but became a favorite home garden variety due to its reliability, disease resistance, and exceptional taste
  • 🌱 Yellow wax beans are simply green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) at the same growth stage, but from varieties with yellow pigmentation; the nutritional content and growing requirements are nearly identical
  • 🌱 Beans were domesticated independently in both Mesoamerica and Peru thousands of years ago, making them one of the oldest cultivated foods alongside grains

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Germination True Leaves
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