Growing Pole Beans in the Home Vegetable Garden

Green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) come in two types, bush and pole (runner) beans. Many gardeners prefer pole beans to the bush varieties because they’re typically sweeter, tenderer, and produce more beans per plant. The major difference in how these types are grown is that the pole beans are true vines (called ‚”indeterminate plants”) and therefore, need to be supported.

There are various ways of achieving support for pole beans. Gardeners may use a flat trellis with netting or make (or purchase) an obelisk. Nails placed in a row at the bottom of a fence with heavy string running up and down from one nail to the next works well, too.

For gardeners with a compost bin that’s made with welded or chicken wire, the heap can be disguised by growing runner beans onto the wire. A pole-bean tee pee is another option for indeterminate vines. It’s especially fun for children and provides a lovely vertical concept to the garden, as well.

Planting Pole Beans

Pole beans should be planted in situ (in their permanent bed) when the soil reaches temperatures of 75-85 degrees. The beans are planted 1″ deep around teepee poles or any other climbing structure. They can be planted on little hills 16″ apart with four seeds per hill. If a trellis is being used, the seeds should be planted in a row about 3″ apart. Green bean seeds need light watering while germinating.

Make a Pole-Bean Tee Pee

The Bean-Pole teepee is always a hit with the kids. All that is necessary to build a teepee is 6-8 bamboo poles or thin scrap lumber sticks that are between 6-8 feet long. The lumber or poles can be tied altogether at the top with anything gardeners have on hand such as twine, rope, or wire.

The poles need to be stood upright with their legs spread out evenly – Indian teepee style. Now, the structure should be standing on its own. Plant four of any kind of runner beans around the base of each pole. The beans then grow up the poles forming a live cover around all the structure. This makes an instant teepee fort!

Growing Pole Beans

Beans prefer full sun or light shade and well-draining soil. It’s always a good idea to mix in some compost into the soil and mulch around the base of the seedlings. While plants are flowering they’ll appreciate moderate watering and after they set fruit, they should be watered heavily through harvest.

Good companions to green beans are chard, carrots, corn, peas, eggplant, strawberries, and potatoes. If cucumbers or another vining crop is planted under them, the space can be doubly utilized. Of course, if the teepee is for kids to play in, vining crops shouldn’t be planted underneath.

Harvesting Pole Beans

Green beans have another advantage over bush beans in that they stay tender on the vine longer. That being said, it’s still to the gardener’s advantage to harvest the bean regularly as the vines will keep producing if you do so. If some pods are left on the vine and become very mature, they can be harvested and used as shell beans by letting them dry out completely.

Gardeners looking for the perfect pole beans to grow in their area should consult their cooperative extension office or the USDA Hardiness Zone Guide. After obtaining just a couple of seed catalogs, gardeners will discover an incredible amount of pole bean varieties available to them.

Nutritional Value of Green Beans

Green beans are at the top of the list for the best veggies for good health. They’re high in fiber, beta carotene, vitamins, K, C, A, and have anti-inflammatory properties. Green beans also offer potassium, iron, riboflavin, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamin, omega-3 fatty acids, copper, and protein.

For more on planting the home vegetable garden check out How to Grow Peppers in The Home Vegetable Garden and Easy to Grow Vegetables for Your First Garden.