Pole Bean

Pole beans are the climbing form of Phaseolus vulgaris, the same species as bush green beans. They are annual, twining climbers with green leaves made of three leaflets, and they can grow about 8 to 13 feet (2.5 to 4 m) tall with a spread of about 1.6 to 3.3 feet (0.5 to 1 m). Pole beans need a climbing trellis, while bush types do not.

Sow pole bean seed outdoors once the soil has warmed above 60 °F (16 °C). Some advice says to sow after the danger of frost has passed, while another suggests starting about one week before the last frost-free date.

Sow seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. One page gives a much shallower depth of ¼ to ½ inch (0.6 to 1.3 cm) of soil. Sow seed 3 inches (7.5 cm) apart in rows 4 feet (1.2 m) apart, or plant 4 to 6 seeds at the base of each pole. Inoculants can increase yields.

Seedlings usually emerge in 7 to 10 days when the soil has warmed to 65 to 85 °F (18 to 29 °C). Once seedlings are up, thin plants to 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) apart.

Support. Pole beans climb naturally, and wooden poles or other fencing make good supports. Trellises should be 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) tall and sturdy enough to withstand summer storms. Pole beans will not weave through horizontal wires.

Watering. Keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and pod development. Do not overwater, since wet soil can cause root rot.

Feeding. Too much nitrogen fertilizer leads to heavy leaf growth, delayed flowers and fewer pods, so beans usually need no extra fertilizer after planting.

Pests and diseases that may affect beans include Mexican bean beetles, leafhoppers, cutworms and armyworms, bean blight, and root rot in cool, wet spring soil. Flowers can drop when it gets hotter than 95 °F (35 °C) or conditions are dry. One page reports no significant problems for this plant.

Pick snap beans when the pods are young and firm, about the diameter of a pencil and 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, before the seeds swell the pod. Pick regularly, since pole types can keep producing pods for 5 to 6 weeks. Pole beans take a few more days to mature than bush types, but they produce over a longer period. Young whole pods can be eaten cooked or raw.

Store fresh beans in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to one week. Beans freeze well; snap them, blanch for one minute in boiling water, plunge them into ice water for a minute, and drain thoroughly before freezing.

For people, never eat raw or undercooked seeds (the beans inside the pods), since they can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.