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 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

08 Mar 22, Kelly (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
In my past experience of growing beans like scarlet runner in Southern Tasmania, they are prolific. And now, I am in Northern Coastline, I have to do the opposite of everything I have done in Tasmania. Nonetheless, it is all about knowing and tweaking the timing. We can always trick the plants to do what we want them to do. (Gardening is not as organic and natural as one may think. It is highly mathematical and formulated if you want the best yield). Good luck experimenting.
11 Mar 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes, growing stuff in southern Aussie seems to be a spring summer thing whereas in the northern half more like autumn winter. Gardening is about germinating and growing in the best season to suit each crop to achieve the best results. I don't grow much in summer because of cyclones, heat, wind, rain, humidity. It is the old - reward for effort equation.
02 Mar 22, Dena Vidovich (Australia - temperate climate)
Why aren't my runner beans flowering?
02 Mar 22, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
It might just be a bit early . Try spraying with some cool water.
14 Jan 22, Midhun (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi I’ve planted scarlet beans this year and they were growing good and producing good numbers of beans but after few days the leaves started turning yellow and the plant is dying very quickly, any one know what is the problem here? Thanks
24 Jan 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Check for bean fly grub in the stems. I dont grow beans in Autumn for that reason, grow mine in Spring
03 Dec 21, Greg (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Does that include just planting seeds right now? I have heard that too - too much water can rot the seed too. I'm planting dwarf, yellow wax.
07 Dec 21, Anonymous (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Plant into damp soil and give a quick watering then don't water for 3-4 days and only give a light watering depending on how dry the top 2(?)
30 Nov 21, Andrew (New Zealand - temperate climate)
When Scarlett Runner beans get to the top of the frames they tend to drop down to find somewhere to attach. They get really quite top heavy and dark. Can you snip off the top once they go over. By the way we get huge amounts of beans. Also Butter Bean do extremely well here in the BOP
30 Nov 21, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
You can safely snip off your scarlet runners when they reach the top of the frames. They will produce more shoots lower down.
Showing 11 - 20 of 259 comments

Beans fix their own nitrogen, which if you like to companion plant (and some people do), the beans don't compete for the nitrogen. Some studies indicate the the beans assist (perk) the other plants by giving them nitrogen WITHOUT over supplying nitrogen - and too much nitrogen can be a problem for some plants (corn in particular). The standard North American Indian Three sisters planting is: Corn, beans and squash. This combination dates back ........ probably centuries and it has been around a long time for good reason: Corn is actually fairly WEAK rooted when young; corn can uprooted fairly easily when it starts growing. Squash on the other hand is a rooting power house. The squash stabilizes the corn. The squash with it's large leaves ALSO shades the soil (all plants that I know of like shaded soil, keeping their roots cooler -- even full sun plants want shaded soil). The beans then scamper up the corn, and perk the corn and squash with nitrogen. What your asking is can I take this classic all time threesome and substitute sweet potatoes for the squash. I really can't see a reason why you could not. It sounds reasonable. Further more Blistering on sweet potatoes can be prevented by adding Borax to soil - and corn loves boron (boron gives corn not only better tassels but better yields). Additionally, both corn and sweet potatoes need and love potassium. So when I think about it... it sounds like a really good combination. Best of Luck.

- Celeste Archer

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.