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Beans · Phaseolus vulgaris 'Pencil Pod Black Wax'

Pencil Pod Black Wax Bean

Pencil Pod Black Wax Bean: 52-57 days to harvest, 7-10 days to germinate, 4-6 inches apart between plants, pH 6.0-7.0, hardy in zones 2-11. Fruit runs to about 5-6 inches long. Give it full sun (6+ hours) and 1 inch per week, consistent moisture water. It will crop in a container.

Beans
52-57days to harvest
7-10days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow after soil reaches 60°F and frost danger has passed. Plant seeds 1 inch deep in warm, well-prepared soil.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water
1 inch per week, consistent moisture
Soil
Well-drained, fertile soil with organic matter
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
4-6 inches apart
Season
Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Bright golden-yellow
Size
5-6 inches long
Shape
Round, pencil-thin pods
Flavour
Mild, sweet flavor with tender, stringless texture

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, steaming, pickling, three-bean salads

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Bean leaf beetles, aphids
Diseases
Rust, bacterial blight, white mold
Resistance
Moderate disease resistance typical of heirlooms

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——July – AugustSeptember – August
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 – May
12——January – MarchApril – May
13——January – MarchApril – May

Companion planting

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

MarigoldRepels Mexican bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes
NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels bean beetles
CornProvides natural trellis support for climbing beans in three sisters planting
Summer SquashLarge leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, completes three sisters guild
CarrotsBeans fix nitrogen which benefits carrots, different root depths reduce competition
CucumberBoth benefit from similar growing conditions and beans provide nitrogen
RadishQuick-growing radishes break up soil for bean roots and deter bean beetles
RosemaryStrong scent repels Mexican bean beetles and carrot flies

Avoid

OnionInhibits bean growth and nitrogen fixation through allelopathic compounds
GarlicStunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial rhizobia bacteria
FennelAllelopathic chemicals inhibit germination and growth of beans

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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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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