Growing Beans - climbing, also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners

Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus coccineus : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        P              

(Best months for growing Beans - climbing in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 61°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 4 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 9-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, spinach, lettuce, summer savory, dill, carrots, brassicas, beets, radish, strawberry, cucumbers, zucchini, tagates minuta (wild marigold)
  • Avoid growing close to: Alliums (Chives, leek, garlic, onions), Florence fennel

Your comments and tips

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31 Jan 20, Al Rankin (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Thanks for your reply. It gives me some confidence in the plants!!! Cheers Al
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03 Feb 20, Al Rankin (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Great News. I was out this evening watering the Vegies. And what did I find, a number of Red Flowers on my Beans! Thanks for your support!
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12 Jan 20, Allison (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can I plant seed of scarlet runners now, January, and expect them to produce beans?
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15 Jan 20, Anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Go to the top of the page and look in the calendar months for the Green cells with a white P.
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24 Nov 19, Felix Hodgson (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I have blue Peter bean seeds. Free. Postage at your cost.
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02 May 21, Sue Hedden (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi Felix, where about are you? We are also in sub-tropical climate, south coast of KZN, but often come to Durban We would LOVE some seeds! Hope we are not too late! Sue, 0721933945
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07 Sep 19, Sailesh Gajurel (New Zealand - temperate climate)
As well as i am planning to grow snake beans on my garden this year sowing seeds on what interval shall i do seedling for continuous supply of beans throught the season
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09 Sep 19, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Water the garden the day before you are going to plant the seeds. Put the seeds in a glass of water the night before you are going to plant them. Plant the seeds the next day and give a light watering. DO NOT water again for 4 days. Then give a light watering each second day - depending on your soil type.
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09 Sep 19, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
About each 4-5 weeks.
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18 Jan 19, Alison (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown mangere pole beans regularly for the past few years but this year's don't taste nice at all - a very strong soapy flavour. I haven't tried cooking any yet - we've just tried them raw. Has anyone had a similar experience? Thank you.
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Showing 71 - 80 of 261 comments
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From a publication (University of Mass) CORRECTIVE ACTION IS: 1. Rotate bean with non-host crops. 2.Plow under infected crop residues. 3.Eliminate volunteer bean plants. 4.Select planting dates and schedule irrigation to avoid long periods of leaf wetness when temperatures are warm. 5.Disinfect poles in production of pole beans. 5.Avoid over application of nitrogen and ensure adequate potassium fertilization. 6.Plant resistant cultivars. ==> your issue is the rust sort of creates these pustules that allow the rust to survive over winter, or during crop rotations. You need to ensure you dig the old plants deep into the soil, clean your equipment (poles, garden gloves etc.). I would be inclined to use SULPHUR -- "Sulphur Dust Fungicide and Miticide" is usually what it is called. This dust can be sprinkled all over, on the plants etc. or can be mixed with water and sprayed. Also avoid planting beans in areas of "stagnant air" the plants need to be able to dry out -- in other words water on the plants (moist leaves and stems) are great breeding grounds for your rust. It's actually not a difficult problem to resolve, once you know what needs to be done -- remove and bury infected leaves, and/or sprinkle with sulphur dust, mitigate moisture retention (get the air flow going -- maybe you change up the arrangement of planting so the air flows through the plants and whisks away the moisture.

- Faith Celeste Archer

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