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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
03 Dec 16, Paul A'Barge (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I have had zero luck with climbing beans in zone 8B. I buy the seeds from a local greenhouse/starter and plant - diddly comes up. Next year I am going to start seeds in starter pots and I will transplant those that show up and are healthy. I think the seller of the seeds does not want to bother starting seeds and so keeps old seed around to sell to people who want climbing beans, aka rip off.
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10 Aug 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9a climate)
The secret to germinating bean seeds is to plant at the right time, soil temperature that is. Prepare your soil and give it a good wetting. 2-3 days later plant the bean seeds. Give a light watering after planting and then DO NOT WATER AGAIN FOR 4-5 DAYS especially in hot weather. Then just give it a light watering. OVER WATERING WILL CAUSE THE SEEDS TO GO ROTTEN.
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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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08 Sep 18, Nell (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Hi Jo, We have several varieties of Runners here in the US (including white half runner and pink half runner) that are usually dried then stored for over winter use. Maybe they are just more common in the mid-southern area of the US? The are my personal favorite bean. We absolutely have snails (smaller than you are used to ,I am sure) and slugs here, but it is drier here than London so they hide under rock and underground until it rains, or you can find them early in the morning if you have a heavy dew on.
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06 Oct 20, Cynthia M LePere (USA - Zone 8a climate)
There is also the Scarlet Runner Bean.
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Showing 11 - 16 of 16 comments
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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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