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Vermont Cranberry Bush Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Vermont Cranberry'

A beloved New England heirloom that's been grown in Vermont gardens since the 1700s, featuring beautiful burgundy-red beans that resemble cranberries when dried. This compact bush variety is perfectly adapted to shorter growing seasons and produces reliable yields of flavorful beans that have sustained New England families for centuries. The rich color and exceptional flavor make it a favorite for traditional baked bean recipes and modern farm-to-table cuisine.

Harvest

85-90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Vermont Cranberry Bush Bean in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 bean →

Zone Map

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Vermont Cranberry Bush Bean · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilWell-drained, moderately fertile soil

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorRich, earthy flavor with slight sweetness and firm texture

ColorDeep burgundy-red

SizeSmall to medium oval, 0.4 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	September – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	September – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	September – October
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	August – October
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	August – September
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	July – September
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	June – August
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	June – July

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 Vermont Cranberry beans keep 4-5 days in the refrigerator stored in perforated plastic bags. For longer storage, blanch shelled fresh beans for 3 minutes, cool in ice water, then freeze in portions for up to 8 months.

For dried beans, complete drying by spreading harvested pods on screens in a warm, airy location for 2-3 weeks until beans rattle freely. Shell when fully dry and store in airtight containers in a cool, dark place where they'll keep for 2-3 years. Freeze dried beans for 48 hours before storage to eliminate any bean weevil eggs. The dried beans are perfect for traditional New England baked bean recipes and maintain their shape beautifully in long-cooking applications. Their rich, earthy flavor actually improves with age, making them ideal for winter storage.

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 in soil

Basil

Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving bean flavor

Carrots

Deep taproot breaks up soil for bean roots, doesn't compete for same nutrients

Corn

Provides natural trellis support for climbing beans, part of Three Sisters planting

Summer Squash

Large leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, completes Three Sisters guild

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters Mexican bean beetles

Rosemary

Repels Mexican bean beetles and carrot flies without competing for resources

Lettuce

Provides living mulch, shallow roots don't compete, harvested before beans need full space

Keep Apart

Onions

Can stunt bean growth and reduce nitrogen fixation through allelopathic compounds

Sunflowers

Allelopathic effects inhibit bean germination and growth, competes for nutrients

Fennel

Strong allelopathic properties inhibit growth of beans and most other garden plants

Nutrition Facts

Calories

46kcal(2%)

Protein

0.46g(1%)

Fiber

3.6g(13%)

Carbs

12g(4%)

Fat

0.13g(0%)

Vitamin C

14mg(16%)

Vitamin A

3mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

5mcg(4%)

Iron

0.23mg(1%)

Calcium

8mg(1%)

Potassium

80mg(2%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #171722)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good cold tolerance and resistance to common bean diseases

Common Pests

Mexican bean beetle, bean leaf beetle, aphids

Diseases

Bacterial blight, white mold, bean rust

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Vermont Cranberry Bush Bean take to grow?▼

Vermont Cranberry Bush Beans take 50-60 days for fresh eating and 85-90 days for fully mature dried beans. The extended growing period makes them well-suited for northern climates but requires a full growing season for dried bean production.

Can you grow Vermont Cranberry Bush Beans in containers?▼

Yes, these compact bush beans are excellent for container growing. Use containers at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide, with drainage holes. Plant 4-6 seeds per large container and provide consistent moisture as container plants dry out faster than garden beds.

What do Vermont Cranberry Bush Beans taste like?▼

Fresh beans have a sweet, tender flavor similar to lima beans. When dried, they develop a rich, earthy taste with subtle sweetness and a firm, creamy texture that holds up beautifully in baked beans, soups, and stews without becoming mushy.

When should I plant Vermont Cranberry Bush Beans?▼

Plant 1-2 weeks after your last frost date when soil temperature consistently reaches 60°F. In zones 3-5, this is typically late May to early June. Planting too early in cold soil leads to poor germination and fungal problems.

Are Vermont Cranberry Bush Beans good for beginners?▼

Yes, they're excellent for beginners due to their bush habit requiring no staking, good disease resistance, and forgiving nature. However, the longer growing season means beginners in very short-season areas should start with faster-maturing varieties first.

Can Vermont Cranberry Bush Beans handle frost?▼

While more cold-tolerant than most beans, they cannot survive frost. However, they continue producing later into fall than heat-loving varieties and can handle cool weather that stops other beans from flowering and setting pods.