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.
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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 timeless heirloom snap bean, Topnotch Yellow (also known as Improved Golden Wax) is prized for its smooth, buttery flavor and dependable yields. Compact, self-supporting plants reach 18–20 inches tall and produce clusters of bright yellow pods about 5 inches long that are entirely stringless and tender at any stage.
The pods are plump and juicy with a rich, sweet flavor that stands out when steamed, sautéed, or pickled. Their color holds beautifully in cooking, and their crisp texture makes them a favorite for both fresh eating and canning.
Dating back to the early 20th century, Topnotch Yellow has remained a staple of home gardens for generations thanks to its early maturity, uniform harvests, and old-fashioned taste. It’s a proven performer that delivers bright color, tenderness, and reliability season after season.
Sorry about the mix-up. Mix-ups can sometimes happen, but we have no problem making things right. You can always email us at seeds@allianceofnativeseedkeepers.com or use our contact form to reach out if you have any issues.
With that said, our new seed-packet designs will have bar-codes on them so we can better scan them off during fulfillment. This will significantly reduce errors like these.
So please feel free to reach out.
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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
Pick pods when golden-yellow and 5 inches long, smooth and tender. Harvest frequently to prolong production.
Flavor & Culinary Notes
Mild, buttery, and crisp. Perfect for fresh eating, pickling, or quick sautés. Retains flavor and texture after cooking.
Handling & Storage
Refrigerate pods unwashed 34–38°F for up to 7 days. Blanch 2 minutes for freezing.
Growing & Maintenance
Support: Bush habit.
Soil and feeding: Fertile soil, compost-rich, avoid overfertilizing.
Watering: 1 inch weekly, consistent supply.
Inoculation: Common bean inoculant.
Succession: Sow every 10–14 days for continuous harvest.
Seed Saving
Dry pods on plant until tan and crisp. Store seed cool and dry.
Container Tips
Grow 3 plants in a 10-gallon container.
Common Pairings in the Garden
Pairs with carrots, basil, and marigolds. Avoid onions.
Extended Season Care
Use mulch or black film to warm soil early spring.
Common Pests & Problems — Topnotch Yellow Bean
Insect Pests
Mexican Bean Beetle:
Adults and larvae feed between leaf veins, leaving a skeletonized or lace-like pattern. Handpick beetles and eggs, use floating row covers during early growth, and remove post-harvest debris to stop overwintering.
Aphids:
Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth and undersides of leaves, causing curling, yellowing, and sticky honeydew residue. Rinse off with a strong spray of water or apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects such as lady beetles and hoverflies.
Seedcorn Maggot:
Larvae feed on germinating seeds in cool, wet soil. Avoid planting before soil temperatures reach at least 65°F, and do not use fresh manure before sowing.
Cutworms:
Nocturnal caterpillars that chew stems at soil level. Protect seedlings with collars and maintain weed-free beds.
Spider Mites:
Common during hot, dry conditions, causing stippling and yellowing on leaves. Maintain even soil moisture and rinse foliage occasionally to deter buildup.
Fungal and Bacterial Diseases
Anthracnose:
Dark, sunken lesions form on pods and streaks appear on stems. Use clean, disease-free seed, rotate crops for 3–4 years, and avoid working with wet plants.
Rust:
Reddish-orange pustules form on leaves, reducing plant vigor. Water early in the day at the soil base, increase spacing for airflow, and remove infected foliage promptly.
Bacterial Blight (Common & Halo):
Angular brown spots with yellow halos spread quickly in humid weather. Avoid overhead watering, disinfect tools, and remove diseased plants immediately.
Root Rot (Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, or Pythium):
Leads to damping off and root decay in poorly drained soil. Plant in raised beds or well-drained areas and avoid overwatering.
Bean Mosaic Virus:
Mottled and curled leaves signal viral infection. Control aphid populations and remove infected plants to prevent spread.
Physiological and Environmental Issues
Poor Pod Set:
High heat above 90°F or drought during flowering reduces yield. Maintain consistent watering and mulch to cool the soil.
Cold Soil Germination Failure:
Wait until soil temperatures exceed 65°F before planting to ensure good germination.
Water Stress:
Irregular watering can lead to tough pods and poor seed fill. Water deeply and regularly during flowering and pod development.
Nutrient Deficiency:
Yellowing leaves may indicate nitrogen shortage or poor Rhizobium nodulation. Inoculate seeds before planting to improve nitrogen fixation.
Integrated Management Tips
Rotate crops every 3–4 years to prevent soil-borne disease buildup.
Water at soil level early in the day to keep foliage dry.
Mulch to maintain consistent moisture and suppress weeds.
Remove crop debris after harvest to minimize overwintering pests.
Inspect plants weekly for beetles, aphids, and early disease symptoms.
Q: What makes Topnotch Yellow beans unique?
A: Topnotch Yellow beans are early, heavy-producing wax beans known for their smooth, golden pods and buttery flavor. They are uniform, stringless, and ideal for both fresh eating and preserving.
Q: Are Topnotch Yellow beans heirloom or hybrid?
A: They are a heritage American variety, introduced in the early 20th century as one of the first improved wax beans for home and market gardeners.
Q: How long do Topnotch Yellow beans take to mature?
A: Expect maturity in 50–55 days from direct sowing.
Q: What is the growth habit of Topnotch Yellow beans?
A: They are bush-type plants, compact and upright, reaching about 18–24 inches tall with concentrated pod production.
Q: What do Topnotch Yellow beans taste like?
A: The pods are tender, mild, and buttery, perfect for fresh eating, steaming, or pickling.
Q: Are Topnotch Yellow beans stringless?
A: Yes. They are naturally stringless when harvested young and retain a smooth texture even as they mature.
Q: Can Topnotch Yellow beans tolerate heat?
A: Yes. They perform well in warm summer conditions while also germinating reliably in cooler spring soils.
Q: Are Topnotch Yellow beans good for canning or freezing?
A: Absolutely. They hold flavor, color, and firmness well after blanching and freezing, making them an excellent choice for preservation.
Q: How should Topnotch Yellow beans be harvested?
A: Harvest when pods are fully yellow, tender, and about 5 inches long. Frequent picking encourages continued production.
History & Culture — Topnotch Yellow Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Topnotch Yellow Bean is an early American wax bean variety of Phaseolus vulgaris, introduced in the early 20th century and descended from the first golden-podded beans that appeared in the late 1800s. These “wax beans” originated as natural color mutations within green bean populations, later stabilized and improved by breeders for tenderness and productivity.
Topnotch was developed to provide a compact bush habit, early maturity, and uniform, stringless pods—traits that made it ideal for both home gardens and early commercial canning. Its smooth yellow pods and dependable yields made it a favorite among small farmers throughout the mid-1900s, often appearing in seed catalogs as one of the premier wax varieties of its era.
While it lacks the vivid modern coloration of later introductions, Topnotch remains a classic example of early 20th-century plant breeding—where reliability, flavor, and simple elegance defined the American kitchen garden. It continues to be grown today as a heritage wax bean that bridges old-fashioned quality with agricultural innovation of its time.
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Alliance Of Native Seedkeepers
Bean Seeds - Bush - Topnotch Yellow
$200 USD
Unit price /
Unavailable
Description
A timeless heirloom snap bean, Topnotch Yellow (also known as Improved Golden Wax) is prized for its smooth, buttery flavor and dependable yields. Compact, self-supporting plants reach 18–20 inches tall and produce clusters of bright yellow pods about 5 inches long that are entirely stringless and tender at any stage.
The pods are plump and juicy with a rich, sweet flavor that stands out when steamed, sautéed, or pickled. Their color holds beautifully in cooking, and their crisp texture makes them a favorite for both fresh eating and canning.
Dating back to the early 20th century, Topnotch Yellow has remained a staple of home gardens for generations thanks to its early maturity, uniform harvests, and old-fashioned taste. It’s a proven performer that delivers bright color, tenderness, and reliability season after season.
