Gold Mine

Family: Fabaceae Vegetable

Sunlit and buttery from the first glance, Gold Mine wax beans unfurl into smooth, golden pods with a tender snap and a mild, sweet flavor that feels bright on the palate.

At maturity they hold a crisp, succulent texture—ideal for roasting and sautéing, and equally delightful for fresh snacking, quick pickling, and vibrant additions to sauces. Grow a row of these radiant pods for a harvest that looks as good as it tastes, with dependable performance around 50 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Bush

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Gold Mine wax beans cook up with a crisp-tender snap and a gentle sweetness, so they stay pleasant even when you roast them hot. Their mellow flavor is made for lemony shine and garlic-butter sheen—avoid heavy, smoky seasoning unless you want them to play second fiddle to the fire.

Best Uses

hot sauté or blister-fast roast for crisp-tender pods
quick pickling to keep that snap and golden color
toss into a summer sauce (pesto-style or herb butter) for texture
fresh snacking or shaved raw into salads for a clean crunch

Flavor Profile

tender snap with a mild, sweet bean flavor buttery, sunshine-like finish light vegetal sweetness that doesn’t get harsh when cooked through

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil parmesan smoked paprika butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease issue most commonly affects Phaseolus vulgaris (Kentucky Wonder Wax type) beans, and how do I manage it?

Watch for bean rust and bacterial blight, which show up as brown/orange spots or dark, water-soaked leaf lesions and spread quickly in humid weather. Remove and discard infected leaves, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and space plants with good airflow; if problems persist, use a labeled copper-based fungicide/bactericide and reapply according to the label. Also inspect for aphids and spider mites early—spray the undersides of leaves with a strong jet of water or use an insecticidal soap if needed.

How often should I water Phaseolus vulgaris during the main growing phase (from flowering through pod set)?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy during flowering and pod development; aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than daily, and only when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry—dry stress can cause flower drop and smaller pods. Mulch lightly to stabilize moisture around the shallow bean roots.

How can I tell when Gold Mine (Phaseolus vulgaris) wax beans are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully colored and crisp, typically about 50 days from sowing, and before seeds inside become noticeably bulgy. Pods are usually best at a young stage—if you bend a pod and it snaps slightly, it’s likely ready. Check every 1–2 days once they start producing; frequent picking keeps the plants setting more pods.