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Growing Cherokee Black Wax Bush Beans in the Vegetable Garden
Plant beans directly into the garden bed and avoid transplantation. Sow the seeds one inch deep, 4-6 inches apart, in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart. Wait to plant your bean seeds until after the frost date has passed and the soil temperatures are consistently around 60 F. Avoid spacing the plants too close together to allow proper ventilation and avoid diseases. The plants prefer full sun exposure and thrive in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Water is crucial for bean plants. While they can handle light drought, they will have reduced yields. Keep the soil evenly moist, but allow the soil to dry slightly between watering to avoid root rot. Mulch around the base of the bean plants to protect the roots. Fertilizer isn’t always necessary, but many gardeners claim that applying a balanced feed a few times a season can increase yields. Just be sure to avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizer or other amendments. Inspect the plants on a regular basis and apply pest control methods as needed.
Harvesting Cherokee Black Wax Bush Beans
The pods are ready to harvest when they reach about 5 inches long, but before the seeds have started bulging. To harvest, hold the stem with one hand and gently pull the pod with the other to avoid damaging the plant. Harvesting in the morning when the pods are crisp and full of moisture can help maintain their quality. The Cherokee Wax Bean is best consumed as a snap variety when the pods are young and tender. It is not commonly used as a shelling bean.
About Cherokee Black Wax Bush Bean Garden Seeds
The Cherokee Wax Bean is an heirloom variety cultivated for generations. While the exact historical connection to the Cherokee Nation is not well-documented, the name honors the Cherokee people's agricultural heritage.
The bright yellow pods enhance the garden's aesthetics and add color to culinary dishes. Its ease of cultivation and resistance to common diseases make it a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners.
This bean is primarily used for fresh consumption due to its tender texture and mild flavor. It's versatile in the kitchen, suitable for salads and side dishes, and can be preserved through canning or freezing.
Cherokee Wax Beans are low in calories and a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as dietary fiber and essential minerals like iron and potassium. Incorporating them into your diet can contribute to improved digestion, immune function, and overall health.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Due to the color contrast of these bean pods with their plants, they are easy to see on the plant and then harvest. Sometimes the green pods blend in and get missed, but you can see Cherokee pods easily!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer
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Other Resources
Cherokee Black Wax Bush Bean Seeds Per Package:
- 30 g - package - Approximately 74 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 280 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 1,150 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 5,600 Seeds
- 25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 28,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Cherokee Black Wax Bush Bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
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ATTRIBUTES
Basic Info
Latin Name: |
Phaseolus vulgaris
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Bean Sub-Type: |
Wax - Wax beans (also called yellow beans) are very similar to green snap beans and have a similar flavor profile. The primary difference is they lack the chlorophyll that makes green beans green. The yellow hue looks like wax, hence the name. |
Cherokee Black Wax Bush Bean Color: |
Yellow pods, Black beans. |
Cherokee Black Wax Bush Bean Flavor: |
Mild, buttery flavor when young. |
Growing Info
Hardiness Zone: |
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
Days to Maturity: |
50-65 |
Days to Germination: |
5-10 |
Seeding Depth: |
1 inch |
Plant Spacing: |
4-6 inches |
Row Spacing: |
18-24 inches |
Plant Height: |
12-24 inches |
Growth Habit: |
Upright |
Soil Preference: |
Beans prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. As light feeders and nitrogen-fixing legumes, beans do not require nitrogen-heavy fertilizers. |
Temperature Preference: |
Warmer (70-85 F). |
Light Preference: |
Full Sun |
Other
Direct Sow: |
Yes, direct sow when soil temperatures are reliably above 60 F. Planting with an inoculant may increase yields, but is certainly not required for a successful grow. |
Start Indoors: |
Not Recommended. Beans grow best without any root disturbance. We recommend direct sowing instead of transplanting. |
Bean Pollination: |
Beans are self-pollinating as they contain both the male and female parts within their flowers, unlike other fruit and vegetable plants. While they are self-pollinating, having a variety of pollinators and flowers around will improve yields by ensuring the greatest chances for pollinating events to occur. |
Snap or Shell Bean: |
Snap - Snap beans have a fleshy edible pod. Snap beans are also called string beans or green beans (though not all snap beans are green). They are called snap beans because they make a snapping sound when you break them in half. |
Pole or Bush Bean: |
Bush - Bush beans grow on low-growing, compact, upright, bushy plants that typically do not need a trellis, pole, or other support. Bush beans are usually favorable to container growing. |
Plant Width: |
12 inches |
Growth Speed: |
Early - Ready for harvest around 45-65 days. |
Deer Resistant: |
No |
Germination Temperature: |
70-90 F |
Pests and Diseases: |
Resistant to Bean Common Mosaic Virus (race 1, 15), and Rust. Beans are susceptible to beetles, aphids, spider mites, and cutworms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Keeping your bean plants clean from dust build-up and surrounded by a variety of plants to help deter and prevent pest damage. Beans are also susceptible to powdery mildew, bean blight, rust, and root rot. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
Garden Size: |
Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
Bean Use: |
Fresh eating, steaming, sauteing, canning, freezing. |
Climate Tolerance: |
N/A |