How to Grow Cherokee Trail of Tears
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Cherokee Trail of Tears'
Cherokee Trail of Tears is an heirloom pole bean beloved for its classic stringless pods and reliable yield in warm climates. Gardeners prize this variety not only for its delicious snap but also for its vigorous growth habit that makes it ideal for vertical gardens or trellises.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Cherokee Trail of Tears: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Cherokee Trail of Tears is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors only after the last frost date has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for germination.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare a sunny spot with soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0, ensuring the ground is loose and well-draining. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the soil has warmed up; do not sow early. Directly plant seeds about one inch deep since they germinate within seven to ten days once conditions are right.
Space plants four to six inches apart along sturdy supports or trellises, as these beans climb vigorously. Provide an inch of water weekly while avoiding overwatering, and apply mulch to retain moisture. Feed the plants occasionally with a balanced fertilizer if growth seems slow, but avoid excess nitrogen which encourages leaves over pods.
Watch for bean beetles, aphids, and spider mites; encourage beneficial insects or spray organic insecticides if infestations occur. Prevent bacterial blight, anthracnose, and rust by practicing crop rotation and removing infected debris promptly. Harvest the stringless pods eighty-five to ninety-five days after sowing when they are firm but tender.
When to Plant Cherokee Trail of Tears
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | July – August | November – August |
| Zone 2 | — | June – August | October – September |
| Zone 3 | — | June – July | October |
| Zone 4 | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 7 | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 8 | — | April – May | August – September |
| Zone 9 | — | March – April | July – August |
| Zone 10 | — | February – April | June – August |
| Zone 11 | — | January – March | May – July |
| Zone 12 | — | January – March | May – July |
| Zone 13 | — | January – March | May – July |
Companion Plants for Cherokee Trail of Tears
✓ Good companions
Different root depths prevent competition and carrots help loosen soil
Provides natural trellis structure for climbing beans in Three Sisters method
Benefits from nitrogen fixed by beans, compatible growth habits
Repels Mexican bean beetles and other harmful insects
Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters bean beetles
Loosens soil for bean roots and deters cucumber beetles
Ground cover that retains moisture and suppresses weeds in Three Sisters planting
Repels bean beetles and may improve bean flavor and growth
✗ Keep away from
Allelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth
Stunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial soil bacteria
Inhibits bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
