Tendergreen Bush Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Tendergreen'
A time-tested heirloom that has been delighting gardeners since 1925 with its exceptional tenderness and flavor. These medium-green, stringless pods are incredibly productive and maintain their quality even when picked large. Known for its reliability and adaptability, Tendergreen is the perfect choice for beginning gardeners seeking a foolproof, delicious bean variety.
Harvest
53-56d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Tendergreen Bush Bean in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 bean →Zone Map
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Tendergreen 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 Tendergreen beans store best in the refrigerator crisper drawer in a perforated plastic bag, maintaining quality for 5-7 days. Avoid washing before storage—clean just before use to prevent moisture-related decay. For optimal freshness, harvest in the morning and refrigerate immediately.
For longer preservation, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, plunge into ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in airtight containers for up to 8 months. Tendergreen's excellent texture retention makes it ideal for freezing.
For canning, use a pressure canner following USDA guidelines—process pint jars for 20 minutes at 10 pounds pressure (adjust for altitude). These beans also pickle beautifully using a standard dilly bean recipe. Avoid dehydrating as bush beans don't dry well compared to shell bean varieties.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical America
Advantages
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Marigold
Repels Mexican bean beetles and aphids, reduces nematode populations
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels bean beetles
Carrots
Root vegetables don't compete for nutrients, carrots help loosen soil
Radishes
Quick-growing crop that breaks up soil and deters bean beetles
Corn
Provides natural support structure for climbing varieties, beans fix nitrogen for corn
Catnip
Strong scent repels aphids, flea beetles, and squash bugs
Summer Savory
Repels bean beetles and aphids, may improve bean flavor when planted nearby
Cucumber
Compatible growing requirements, beans provide nitrogen that cucumbers need
Keep Apart
Onions
Inhibits bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root compounds
Garlic
Stunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial rhizobia bacteria
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit bean germination and growth
Sunflowers
Allelopathic effects suppress bean growth, competes heavily for nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance to common bean diseases
Common Pests
Mexican bean beetle, aphids, leafhoppers, thrips
Diseases
Bacterial blight, anthracnose, mosaic virus, powdery mildew