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Growing Topcrop Bush Beans in the Vegetable Garden
These beans are best direct sown into the garden after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 60 F. Before planting, work in a balanced fertilizer or compost to provide nutrients. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers. Top Crop beans do best in soil that is low in acidity, around 6-6.8 in PH levels. Tilling the soil and mixing with a compost can help growth as well. They don’t transplant well due to their delicate root systems. Plant the seeds about 1 inch deep. Space plants 4–6 inches apart, with rows spaced 18–24 inches apart. This allows for proper air circulation, reducing the risk of disease.
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and pod development. Watering at the base of the plants helps to avoid wetting the leaves, which can lead to fungal diseases. Mulching around the base of the plants helps conserve moisture and control weeds. Since this is a bush variety, it doesn’t require any staking or trellising.
Harvesting Topcrop Bush Beans
Pick the beans when they are 6-7 inches long and plump. Try to pick them before the beans inside begin to bulge to achieve the best texture. Harvest them regularly and promptly to encourage the highest yields. Using a knife or scissors to cut the pods off the plants is a good idea to avoid damaging the plant.
About Topcrop Bush Bean Garden Seeds
In 1950 this high-performing bush bean won the prestigious All American Selections National Gold Metal. Bred by Dr. W.J. Zaumeyer, it is known and loved for its consistently high yields of good tasting green beans.
Topcrop is a great candidate for succession planting. To do this, sow a new set of plants every ten days or so. The harvest window is only about two weeks long, and staggering the plantings this way will ensure many weeks of fresh green beans.
Top Crop is a great candidate if you are a canner (or use other preservation methods) and want to process all the beans at once. Do not succession plant, but sow all the seeds simultaneously, and you will have many beans to process all at once and set aside for winter.
Beans, including Topcrop Bush Beans, are an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins (particularly Vitamin A and C), and minerals like potassium and iron. They are low in calories and relatively high in plant-based protein, making them a great addition to any diet.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Topcrop is a stringless variety but can develop a string if left to mature on the plant for too long. Harvest when the pods are long but not bulging and you should be good to go! In my opinion, it is better to harvest a tad early rather than late in order to get the best texture and flavor."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer
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Other Resources
Topcrop Bush Bean Seeds Per Package:
- 30 g Packet - Approx 100 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 350 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 1,400 Seeds
- 5 lb - Approximately 7,000 Seeds
- 25 lb - Approximately 35,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Topcrop 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: |
Not Applicable. |
Topcrop Bush Bean Color: |
Green |
Topcrop Bush Bean Flavor: |
Mild and sweet. |
Growing Info
Hardiness Zone: |
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 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: |
18-24 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 commonly referred to as 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: |
18 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). 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, pickling, sautéing, and preserving. |