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 5b 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 16°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 10 - 20 cm 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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18 Feb 14, Robyn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted purple king runners recently and they began climbing well, then died from the bottom up, just as quickly. Have just tried again and the same thing is happening. They are getting enough water and other plants in the garden (they share a bed with capsicum) are not having problems. Any advice would be appreciated.
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01 Feb 14, Allen Lee (Australia - temperate climate)
Scarlet runner beans can be obtained from"Diggers seeds"this is UK's .most popular bean they also have a few selection in beans.
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24 Jan 14, Cynthia Lazarus (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi there! Could you give me Hannes Gous contact details as I would really love to plant some yardlong beans for my soup kitchen! Tks !
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16 Jan 14, Marilyn (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy Scarlet Runner beans in Rockingham Western Australia
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17 Apr 14, Lyn (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm in Rockingham and bought mine in Bunnings Rockingham. They grew extremely well (just about took over the garden) with lots of flowers but very few beans. I think it is the wrong climate for Scarlet Runners as it is too hot to set beans. I'm going back to the ordinary round runner beans.
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30 Dec 14, Di (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try snake beans. They are also known as yardlong. I find them generous and hardy. I grow both the red and green types. I love scarlet runner beans but sadly, they only seem to do well in cooler climates.
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12 Dec 13, sabrin (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
how far apart do you plant scarlet runner beans
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03 Jan 14, Julie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Sabrin, we planted ours about 30 cm apart.
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05 Dec 13, Angela (Australia - temperate climate)
I have the purple kings growing. started off really well lots of flower and quite a few beans before they had reached the top of the pole. Now the lower leaves are all turning rust colour and not producing many beans. any suggestions. I have fed them with dynamic lifter about 3 weeks ago. They have had water from reg rainfall. 2 or 3 heavy rains per week.
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12 Nov 13, Georgia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
just wondering, what pests and diseases climbing beans are prone to?
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Showing 181 - 190 of 261 comments
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Hi Peter. How frustrating for you. I, too, love my garden, especially growing food crops and harvesting the produce. It is hard to know your circumstances without more information about your site. The roots of neighbours trees can be problematic, sucking out much of the moisture and nutrients, especially during the hot weather. I keep my veg beds 1-2 metres away from the boundary fences, and thoroughly dig over the beds closest to the fences and neighbouring trees prior to planting, to break up the invading tree roots, which helps for a while, but come late summer, I have to abandon at least one bed as the plants become water-stressed. It is not uncommon to have one particular crop fail in any particular year because of the vagaries of the season, but you should be able to still harvest others. Are you able to grow leafy greens? and what about winter crops? Lorraine

- lorraine

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