How to Grow Tendercrop Bush Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Tendercrop'
Tendercrop Bush Bean is a reliable warm-season legume prized for its prolific yield of tender pods. Gardeners favor this easy-to-grow variety for its excellent disease resistance and ability to thrive in full sun across diverse USDA zones.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Tendercrop Bush Bean: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Tendercrop Bush Bean is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 before sowing seeds directly into the ground after the last spring frost when the soil is warm. Do not start indoors as this bean is sensitive to cold; wait until danger of frost has passed entirely. Plant seeds about one inch deep in rows spaced four to six inches apart, expecting germination within six to ten days.
Space plants four to six inches apart and provide support if growing varieties that tend to sprawl. Maintain consistent moisture by watering one inch per week, ensuring the soil does not dry out completely. Apply mulch around the base to retain water and suppress weeds, but avoid piling it against the stems to prevent rot.
Watch for bean leaf beetle, Mexican bean beetle, aphids, thrips, bacterial blight, white mold, anthracnose, and powdery mildew. Prevent issues by inspecting plants regularly and removing infected leaves or using organic controls early. Harvest pods fifty-three to sixty days after sowing when they are young and tender for the best flavor.
When to Plant Tendercrop Bush Bean
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | July – August | September – August |
| Zone 2 | — | June – August | September |
| 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 |
| Zone 11 | — | January – March | April – May |
| Zone 12 | — | January – March | April – May |
| Zone 13 | — | January – March | April – May |
Companion Plants for Tendercrop Bush Bean
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, thrips, and flies while potentially improving bean flavor
Loosens soil for bean roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Provides natural support structure for climbing varieties and benefits from nitrogen fixation
Beans fix nitrogen that cucumbers can utilize, compatible root systems
Repels bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracts beneficial insects
Quick-growing crop that breaks up soil and deters bean beetles
Beans provide nitrogen while squash provides ground cover to retain moisture
✗ Keep away from
Stunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial rhizobia bacteria
Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Allelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
