Melinda Myers

Pole Beans

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 & Care

• Direct sow outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Beans germinate in temperatures 70 F to 80 F. Germination is slow and very poor when soil temps are below 60 F.
• Never soak seeds before planting as this may damage seeds
• 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
• Pole beans require adequate support to grow on. Construct or place supports before seeding to avoid damaging the shallow roots of these plants.
• Mulch the soil around plants after the 2nd set of true leaves appears
• Provide even moisture, about 1 inch per week

Problems

Mexican bean beetle, bacterial blights, aphids, leafhoppers, seedcorn maggot, mosaic virus, white mold, spider mites

Varieties

• Kentucky Blue - All-America Selections winner, 7" round pods
• Kentucky Wonder - 9" clustered pods