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Beans · Phaseolus vulgaris 'Cherokee Trail of Tears'

Cherokee Purple Bean

Cherokee Purple Bean is a heirloom bean. Germination takes 7-10 days and fruit ripens from about day 72. Skin runs to deep purple pods that turn green when cooked. Water need is high — consistent moisture needed. Suits zones 10-11. Indeterminate, so it keeps fruiting until the season ends. It will crop in a container.

Beans
72days to harvest
7-10days to germinate
Z10–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow after soil temperature reaches 60°F and all danger of frost has passed. Plant 1-2 inches deep.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water
High — consistent moisture needed
Soil
Well-drained loam with good organic matter
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
4-6 inches
Height
1-10 feet
Season
Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Deep purple pods that turn green when cooked
Size
8-12 oz.
Shape
Indeterminate
Flavour
Sweet, tender, and mild with excellent snap bean texture

In the kitchen

Fresh steaming, stir-frying, grilling, pickling, and freezing. Excellent in salads when young.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites, cucumber beetles
Diseases
Bean mosaic virus, bacterial blight, anthracnose, rust
Resistance
Good general disease resistance typical of hardy heirlooms

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
2——June – AugustSeptember
3——June – JulyAugust – October
4——June – JulyAugust – October
5——May – JuneAugust – September
6——May – JuneJuly – September
7——April – JuneJuly – August
8——April – MayJune – August
9——March – AprilMay – July
10——February – AprilMay – June
11——January – MarchApril – June
12——January – MarchApril – June
13——January – MarchApril – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

MarigoldRepels Mexican bean beetles and aphids, reduces nematode populations in soil
CornProvides natural trellis support for climbing beans, part of Three Sisters planting method
SquashLarge leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, completes Three Sisters companion trio
CarrotsBeans fix nitrogen in soil which carrots utilize, carrots help loosen soil for bean roots
NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels bean beetles
Summer SavoryRepels bean beetles and aphids, may improve bean flavor when grown nearby
RosemaryStrong scent deters bean beetles, Mexican bean beetles, and carrot flies
RadishQuick-growing crop that breaks up soil, harvested before beans need full space

Avoid

OnionStunts bean growth and reduces yields through root competition and allelopathic compounds
GarlicInhibits bean germination and growth through sulfur compounds released by roots
SunflowerAllelopathic chemicals inhibit bean growth, competes heavily for nutrients and water

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Protein (g)
1.97
Fat (g)
0.275
Carbohydrate (g)
7.41
Fibre (g)
3.01
Vitamin K (µg)
43.9
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.121
Calcium (mg)
40
Iron (mg)
0.652
Magnesium (mg)
28.2
Phosphorus (mg)
41.2
Potassium (mg)
290
Zinc (mg)
0.35
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Where to buy seed and equipment

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the beans growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

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Grown Cherokee Purple Bean?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

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Similar varieties

Other beans with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Cherokee Purple Bean suits these too.

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