Golden Wax Beans are a bush-type bean that is ready to harvest 50 days after planting from seed.
The 6 inch (15 cm) long pods are stringless, and flattened when harvested young enough to be used as a fresh-eating bean.
The pods can be let to mature for harvesting as a dried bean. The beans inside are white, with a white eye on the side, with a large uneven red splotch around the eye.
Golden Wax Beans resist the rust disease that can affect other beans.
Another variety is called “Improved Golden Wax”, which dates from the start of the 1900s. This holds its colour well during canning and freezing.
History Notes
Golden Wax Beans date from the 1870s.