Tendercrop Bush Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Tendercrop'
An All-America Selections winner renowned for producing consistently tender, stringless pods even when mature, making it nearly impossible to pick them too late. This dependable variety offers excellent disease resistance and heavy yields of straight, round pods that maintain their quality longer than most bush beans. A top choice for beginners and experienced gardeners alike who want foolproof, high-quality green beans.
Harvest
53-60d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Tendercrop Bush Bean in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 bean →Zone Map
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Tendercrop Bush Bean · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | August – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | August – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | August – September |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | July – September |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | July – August |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | June – August |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | May – July |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | May – June |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Rattlesnake'Pole Snap Bean, 'Rattlesnake'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The boat-shaped seed pods are bilaterally symmetrical and can be green, yellow, white, or purple at maturity. There is a wide variety of color and shape choices among cultivars.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Purple/Lavender, White. Type: Legume. Length: > 3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Good Dried
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Tendercrop beans store best in the refrigerator crisper drawer in perforated plastic bags, maintaining quality for 7-10 days. Avoid washing until ready to use, as excess moisture promotes decay.
For longer storage, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 3 minutes, plunge into ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in sealed bags for up to 8 months. Tendercrop's stringless nature makes it excellent for freezing—no prep work needed.
For pressure canning, cut pods into 1-inch pieces and process according to USDA guidelines. The variety's tender texture holds up well to canning. While not traditionally used for drying, you can allow some pods to fully mature on the plant and save the dried seeds for next year's planting or cooking as shell beans.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical America
Advantages
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Marigold
Repels bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Basil
Repels aphids, thrips, and flies while potentially improving bean flavor
Carrots
Loosens soil for bean roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Cucumber
Beans fix nitrogen that cucumbers can utilize, compatible root systems
Radish
Quick-growing crop that breaks up soil and deters bean beetles
Summer Squash
Beans provide nitrogen while squash provides ground cover to retain moisture
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracts beneficial insects
Corn
Provides natural support structure for climbing varieties and benefits from nitrogen fixation
Keep Apart
Onion
Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Garlic
Stunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial rhizobia bacteria
Sunflower
Allelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent resistance to common bean mosaic, good rust resistance
Common Pests
Bean leaf beetle, Mexican bean beetle, aphids, thrips
Diseases
Bacterial blight, white mold, anthracnose, powdery mildew