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

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21 Dec 10, Jeff B (Australia - arid climate)
Scarlet beans Tried them here in Port Augusta Magnificient growth, healthy and green Lots of flowers 1 bean pod... Planted early when it was cool obviously too hot???
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22 Dec 10, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Jeff, if they are still flowering - or next time - try spraying the the flowers with water. For some reason, scarlet runners like some rainfall, real or artificial to set their beans.
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12 Jan 11, Rukia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Im currently growing alot of things, i have carrots, basil and beans growing (although i have chives growing that wont sprout after 3 weeks scince planting.) but somehow within the pot i have my basil in i have somehow got 3 climbing bean shoots. So far they are about 5cm tall and im worried they will ruin the basil and with the amount of rain im also worried they will drown. Tips or help please?
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19 Feb 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
My beans are about 45 cm and getting bigger the plant is apprrox 7 ft high
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13 Apr 11, Diana-Adelaide (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow the purple King and snake bean here in Adelaide. They do much better in partial shade during summer.
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05 May 11, Maddy (Australia - temperate climate)
My climbing beans have reached the end of their trellis and I can't make it taller. Will that affect their growth?
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23 May 11, Naomi (Australia - tropical climate)
is anyone able to help I have been stalks with no flowers? they are dwarf broad beans.
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19 Jun 11, ARTHUR (Australia - temperate climate)
Maddy 11th May.You can extend the support Maddy.Remember you have to pick them.Atrhur (the mad gardner).
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02 Jul 11, Jo Foster (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Runner beans are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from other climbing beans, pole beans etc, I have recently moved from London to New York, where I have yet to meet anyone who knows what I'm talking about. Does anyone grow or sell them? Perhaps they are incredibly difficult. I understand they don't like heat. As far as i can see there are no slugs and snails here, since there are no holes in hostas. Perhaps I could even grow a lupin!!!
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18 Jun 17, Terrie (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Are you still out there Jo? Did you find any runner beans? What is a runner bean? I love to learn about new things.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 259 comments
See comments for all plants

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

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