Phaseolus vulgaris
Botanical Name
Phaseolus vulgaris
Hardiness
Annual
Height
5 to 10 feet
Width
1 to 2 feet
Flowers
Mid to late summer: white
Fruit
Green pods, some varieties producing purple or yellow pods
Light
Full sun
Soil
Moist, well-drained
Planting and Care
Pole beans require adequate support to grow on. Direct sow outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 4-6 inches apart in rows 30-36 inches apart; or in hills, 4-6 seeds per hill, 30 inches apart with 30 inches between rows. Mulch the soil around plants after the 2nd set of true leaves appears.
Harvesting
To prevent the possible spread of bacterial blight, only harvest plants when they are dry. Pick pods when they become firm and crisp and have reached their mature length, but while the fruit inside the pods is still relatively small. Plants will continue to produce new pods if harvest is continual.
Problems
Mexican bean beetle, bacterial blights, aphids, leafhoppers, seedcorn maggot, mosaic virus, white mold, spider mites
Varieties to Consider
'Kentucky Blue' - AAS winner, 7" round pods
'Kentucky Wonder' - 9" clustered pods
'Kentucky Wonder' - 9" clustered pods