How to Plant Tendercrop Beans
When you begin growing Tendercrop beans, plant them in the right soil, in an appropriate location for an easy and productive growing season. Get bean seeds in the ground as early as possible. Plant them when all danger of frost is passed. Temperatures will have warmed by then. This includes soil temperatures. Wait about 14 days past your last frost date. These beans grow in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 11. Learn your zone and find out the best time to plant in your area. They take approximately 53 to 56 days to reach maturity. Those in warmer zones have time to plant an additional crop for families that love green beans. Prepare the planting bed ahead of time. Remove weeds and grass, then till the soil to about 12 inches (31 cm.) down. Mix in compost or other amendments to improve soil fertility for this crop. Green beans like a slightly acidic soil, with a pH of about 6.0 to 6.8. Take a soil test if you’re not aware of your soil’s current pH level.
Growing Tendercrop Beans
These meaty, stringless pods grow prolifically. Plant seeds 2 inches (5 cm.) apart in 20 foot (6 m.) rows. Make the rows 2 feet apart (61 cm.). Some growers use a layer of compost between the rows to keep weeds down. This also enriches the soil. You may use mulch to keep weeds from sprouting too. The roots of Tendercrop green beans don’t like competition from weeds. Keep the soil moist after planting seeds. Expect them to sprout in about a week. Thin them out when they are 3 or 4 inches (8-10 cm.). Cultivate around plants regularly until blooms develop, then stop. Any disturbance may cause blooms to fall off. Learn to water green beans properly if there is no rain. This helps provide a better harvest. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Provide about an inch (2.5 cm.) of water per week to bean plants. Water at the base of the plant, getting the roots but not the foliage wet. This helps you avoid diseases such as root rot and fungal issues that spread through splashing water. Use a slow stream of water instead of blasting the plant. You may use a soaker hose at low volume on each row. Let the water trickle onto the roots when watering by hand. Allow the soil to dry out before harvesting the beans. Harvest when beans are about 4 inches (10 cm.) long. Cook right away or try canning the harvest beans or blanch to freeze.
