True Red Cranberry

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Velvety pods in a true, saturated red—so vivid they seem to glow against the foliage—are the signature of True Red Cranberry.

Tender and crisp with a fine, snap-forward texture, these bush beans deliver a sweet-bean flavor that shines whether you savor them fresh or let them become the star of your favorite warm dishes, from sautéed sides to vibrant sauces and pickled accents.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of True Red Cranberry

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 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
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)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These “cranberry” red pods cook fast and keep their snap—ideal when you want sweetness without the grainy collapse of older green beans. The color and crispness make them showy in quick sauté pans, where they take on browned-butter nuttiness and a bright lemon finish without losing structure.

Best Uses

quick sautéed sides where the pods keep a glassy crunch
blanch-and-chill bean salads that hold dressing without turning mushy
light pan sauces (butter, shallot, lemon) that cling to the pod

Flavor Profile

sweet-bean flavor with a clean vegetal snap tender-turgid pods that stay crisp when cooked light, slightly starchy richness in the finish

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter lemon garlic shallot parmesan olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease issue is most common on Phaseolus vulgaris (true red cranberry bean), and how can I fix it?

A frequent problem is bean rust or powdery mildew, which shows up as rusty spots or a gray-white coating on leaves during warm, humid spells. Remove affected leaves early and improve airflow by spacing plants properly; water at the soil line rather than from above. If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for beans as soon as you first see leaf symptoms, following the label rate and interval.

How often should I water Phaseolus vulgaris during the main growing phase?

During flowering and pod fill (roughly weeks 3–7), keep the soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Check 1–2 inches down: water when the soil feels dry at that depth, and stop heavy watering once pods are mature to help prevent split or watery pods.

How do I know when true red cranberry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are ready to harvest?

Harvest for dry beans when pods are fully filled, the pods turn brown and papery, and the seeds rattle inside when you shake a pod. Harvest for fresh (snap) beans earlier—when pods are firm, beans are about full size, and you can snap a pod without strings. For best dry-bean quality, harvest on a dry day and dry further indoors until seeds are hard and brittle.