Seeds: When properly stored, planted, and cared for, we guarantee reasonable germination and true-to-type growth for one year from purchase.
Non-seed products: Free from defects in materials and workmanship for 30 days from shipment.
Excludes factors outside our control (extreme weather, pests, gardener error). If something’s off, contact us—we’ll make it right with a replacement, repair, or refund.
USDA “bioengineered (BE)” foods are those with detectable genetic material that was modified using in vitro recombinant DNA (rDNA) techniques, in ways
not obtainable through conventional breeding or found in nature. The USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard uses “bioengineered” as the nationwide labeling term.
Detectable modified genetic material in the final food
Created via in vitro rDNA techniques (e.g., gene transfer)
Modifications not achievable through conventional breeding or nature
—seeds / pkt
( ~ g )
Description
A golden treasure of the bean patch, Gold Rush Wax stands out for its striking color, tender texture, and exceptional flavor. Compact 18–24 inch bush plants produce heavy clusters of slender, straight pods that ripen to a luminous buttery yellow. Each pod averages 5–6 inches long, stringless, and crisp—ideal for fresh eating, pickling, or steaming.
The flavor is mild, sweet, and buttery, holding its quality even after cooking or canning. Its long harvest window and consistent pod set make it a favorite for both home and market growers. The pods mature all at once yet remain tender longer than most yellow wax varieties.
Developed from the classic Topnotch line, Gold Rush brings improved disease resistance, uniformity, and superior flavor. Heat-tolerant and dependable, it delivers high yields of golden beans that brighten the garden and the plate with every harvest.
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How to Grow — Common Bush Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Once your bush beans have sprouted and established their first true leaves, their success depends upon consistent moisture, soil balance, and steady maintenance rather than heavy feeding or pruning. These are quick, productive plants that thrive on moderation and rhythm more than excess.
Soil Health & Root Care
Keep the soil light, open, and evenly moist, never compacted. Bush beans possess shallow, fibrous root systems that suffer from deep cultivation or crusted topsoil. Use mulch or light compost cover to suppress weeds and protect root zones. A half-inch layer of fine compost midseason replenishes nutrients and encourages microbial activity that supports nitrogen fixation at the roots.
Avoid excessive fertilization — bush beans form a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria to create their own nitrogen supply. Overfeeding, especially with nitrogen-rich inputs, promotes dense foliage and delays flowering. Instead, focus on soil biology: earthworms, compost, and organic matter.
Watering & Moisture Regulation
Bush beans demand consistent, even watering through flowering and pod development. Supply roughly 1 to 1¼ inches per week, adjusting for rainfall. Deep watering every few days is far superior to frequent shallow sprinkling. Allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between sessions to encourage deeper rooting.
Water early in the morning so foliage dries quickly, reducing fungal pressure. If irrigation splashes soil onto leaves, mulch with straw, shredded bark, or aged compost to minimize disease spread. Avoid overhead watering once pods set, as this increases the risk of rust and bacterial blight.
Mulching & Temperature Moderation
Apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch once the plants are 6 inches tall. Mulch regulates moisture, prevents weeds, and keeps soil temperatures stable. In hot regions, straw mulch prevents overheating; in cooler areas, black plastic or fabric mulch retains warmth and speeds growth.
Weed, Pest & Disease Management
Because bush beans mature rapidly, even mild stress can reduce yields. Keep the beds weed-free, especially in the first 4 weeks when roots are shallow. Avoid cultivating too deeply near the stems.
Inspect plants weekly for bean beetles, aphids, and leaf spot. At first signs of damage, use neem oil or insecticidal soap and handpick adults. Encourage beneficial predators like lady beetles and lacewings. Rotate bean crops annually — at least every 3–4 years — to reduce disease buildup in the soil.
For fungal control, ensure air circulation by spacing rows 18–24 inches apart. Remove any yellowing leaves promptly, and water at the base of plants rather than overhead.
Feeding & Midseason Care
After the first flush of blooms, top-dress rows with compost or worm castings. This provides a balanced, slow nutrient release to sustain pod set without excessive leaf growth. Avoid foliar sprays rich in nitrogen; instead, choose potassium- and phosphorus-dominant organic feeds if pods appear sparse.
A compost tea or diluted seaweed extract applied around bloom time boosts resilience and encourages abundant flowering.
Mid- to Late-Season Renewal
Bush beans often produce in waves. After the initial heavy harvest, trim back spent or yellowing foliage slightly and apply a shallow compost top-dress. Water deeply afterward to stimulate new shoots. With this treatment, many varieties yield a secondary flush before frost.
Remove mature pods promptly. Overripe pods on the plant signal completion of the life cycle, causing flowering to slow or cease. By keeping the plants clean and harvested, you extend their vigor and productivity.
General Growing Rhythm
Maintain steady moisture and avoid wide fluctuations.
Keep mulch in place from midseason onward.
Feed lightly but regularly through compost, not fertilizer.
Rotate beans with non-leguminous crops each year.
Remove diseased debris at season’s end to prevent overwintering pathogens.
Harvesting
Harvest slender, golden-yellow pods when 5–6 inches long and tender. Pick frequently to keep plants producing.
Flavor & Culinary Notes
Sweet, mild, and buttery. Excellent steamed, sautéed, or pickled. Retains color and shape after cooking.
Handling & Storage
Refrigerate pods unwashed in a perforated bag for 6–7 days. For long-term storage, blanch 2 minutes, cool, and freeze.
Growing & Maintenance
Support: Bush habit.
Soil and feeding: Moderate fertility; compost side-dress midseason.
Watering: 1 inch weekly, consistent supply.
Inoculation: Common bean inoculant.
Succession: Sow every 10 days for staggered harvest.
Seed Saving
Dry pods thoroughly on plant, shell, and store seed cool and dry.
Container Tips
Grow 3–4 plants in a 10-gallon pot.
Common Pairings in the Garden
Pairs well with carrots, beets, and marigolds. Avoid onions.
Extended Season Care
Use mulch to retain moisture and black plastic to warm early soil.
Common Pests & Problems — Gold Rush Wax Bean
Insect Pests
Mexican Bean Beetle:
Adults and yellow, spiny larvae feed on the undersides of leaves, leaving a lacy, skeletonized pattern. Handpick regularly, use floating row covers early in the season, and destroy crop debris after harvest to interrupt the life cycle.
Aphids:
Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on tender new growth and undersides of leaves, leaving sticky residue and distorted foliage. Remove with a strong jet of water or treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects such as lady beetles.
Seedcorn Maggot:
Larvae attack germinating seeds in cool, wet conditions. Avoid planting in cold, compacted, or freshly manured soil. Wait until soil temperatures reach at least 65°F before sowing.
Cutworms:
Nocturnal caterpillars that sever stems at the soil line. Use cardboard collars around seedlings and maintain clean, weed-free garden beds.
Spider Mites:
Appear during hot, dry spells and cause stippling or yellowing on leaves. Maintain even moisture, rinse foliage periodically, and use insecticidal soap if populations rise.
Fungal and Bacterial Diseases
Anthracnose:
Dark, sunken lesions form on pods and streaks on stems. Use certified disease-free seed, rotate crops for 3–4 years, and avoid handling plants when wet.
Rust:
Reddish-orange pustules appear on leaves and reduce vigor. Improve spacing for airflow, water at soil level, and remove infected foliage promptly.
Bacterial Blight (Common and Halo):
Water-soaked leaf spots with yellow halos develop, spreading rapidly in humid weather. Avoid overhead watering, sanitize tools, and remove infected plants.
Root and Stem Rots (Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Pythium):
Cause stunted plants, damping off, and brown, decaying roots. Plant in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering.
Bean Mosaic Virus:
Creates mottled and puckered leaves, stunted growth, and poor yield. Control aphid populations and remove infected plants immediately.
Physiological and Environmental Issues
Poor Pod Set in Heat:
High temperatures above 90°F reduce pollination. Provide light shade during hot periods and water consistently.
Uneven Germination:
Cold or wet soil can delay or prevent sprouting. Wait for warm soil before planting.
Water Stress:
Irregular watering causes pod deformities or tough texture. Maintain steady, deep watering throughout pod development.
Nutrient Deficiency:
Yellowing leaves may indicate nitrogen shortage or poor root nodulation. Inoculate seed with Rhizobium bacteria and avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.
Integrated Management Tips
Rotate bean crops every 3–4 years to prevent soil-borne disease buildup.
Water early in the day at the soil base to keep foliage dry.
Mulch to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Remove crop residues after harvest to reduce overwintering pests.
Inspect weekly for beetles, aphids, or early signs of blight.
Q: What makes Gold Rush Wax beans unique?
A: Gold Rush Wax beans are prized for their straight, golden-yellow pods that grow in tight clusters for easy picking. They offer a crisp texture and mild, buttery flavor that remains consistent across harvests.
Q: Are Gold Rush Wax beans heirloom or hybrid?
A: They are a modern open-pollinated variety, developed in the United States during the 1970s through university breeding programs to improve disease resistance and uniformity.
Q: How long do Gold Rush Wax beans take to mature?
A: Maturity occurs in 55–60 days from direct sowing.
Q: What is the growth habit of Gold Rush Wax beans?
A: They are bush-type beans, growing 18–24 inches tall and producing high yields of clustered pods that mature nearly all at once.
Q: Do Gold Rush Wax beans require support?
A: No. As a bush variety, they are self-supporting and do not need staking or trellising.
Q: What is the flavor of Gold Rush Wax beans?
A: The pods are sweet, tender, and slightly buttery, ideal for fresh eating, steaming, or pickling.
Q: Are Gold Rush Wax beans good for canning or freezing?
A: Yes. They retain their texture and color well after blanching and freezing, making them excellent for preservation.
Q: What are the best growing conditions for Gold Rush Wax beans?
A: Full sun and well-drained soil with steady moisture during flowering. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can cause excessive foliage and fewer pods.
Q: How should Gold Rush Wax beans be harvested?
A: Pick pods when they are firm, fully yellow, and about 5 inches long. Frequent harvesting encourages continuous production.
History & Culture — Gold Rush Wax Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Gold Rush Wax Bean is a modern American development of Phaseolus vulgaris, celebrated for its straight, golden-yellow pods and dependable yields. Wax beans themselves arose as natural mutations of green beans, first observed in the 19th century and refined through decades of selective breeding. By the mid-20th century, breeders sought varieties that combined the tender flavor of heirloom wax beans with improved disease resistance and uniformity for mechanical harvesting.
Gold Rush was introduced in the 1970s through university and commercial breeding programs in the United States. It quickly became one of the most successful yellow-podded bush beans due to its consistent performance across regions and climates. The pods grow in tight clusters that mature nearly simultaneously, simplifying harvest and making it popular with both home gardeners and commercial growers.
Though a relatively recent addition to the long lineage of common beans, Gold Rush embodies the culmination of over a century of refinement in bean breeding. Its golden color and crisp texture are not merely aesthetic traits but symbols of how traditional crop selection evolved into precise modern horticultural science.
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Our seeds are grown and sourced from the US. They're then packed and shipped from Colerain NC.
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We regularly test the quality and germination rate of our seeds. We're so confident that our seeds are backed by a 1 year warranty!
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Alliance Of Native Seedkeepers
Bean Seeds - Bush - Gold Rush Wax
$200 USD
Unit price /
Unavailable
Description
A golden treasure of the bean patch, Gold Rush Wax stands out for its striking color, tender texture, and exceptional flavor. Compact 18–24 inch bush plants produce heavy clusters of slender, straight pods that ripen to a luminous buttery yellow. Each pod averages 5–6 inches long, stringless, and crisp—ideal for fresh eating, pickling, or steaming.
The flavor is mild, sweet, and buttery, holding its quality even after cooking or canning. Its long harvest window and consistent pod set make it a favorite for both home and market growers. The pods mature all at once yet remain tender longer than most yellow wax varieties.
Developed from the classic Topnotch line, Gold Rush brings improved disease resistance, uniformity, and superior flavor. Heat-tolerant and dependable, it delivers high yields of golden beans that brighten the garden and the plate with every harvest.
