Beans are popular in the garden since they require a small space to grow. They are categorized into two types, and pole beans are one of a variety. The pole bean is a climbing plant that is easy to plant, maintain, and harvest. This article explains how to plant pole beans.
The following are seven steps to follow when you want to plant pole beans;
1. Select the Ideal Area
Pole beans are a type of bean that requires enough space to grow and give more yields. To plant a pole bean, select an area that receives at least six to eight hours of full sunlight daily for solid growth. Also, pole beans require well-drained soil and a soil pH of 6.5.
2. Prepare the Garden
Prepare the garden by mixing well-rotten organic manure into the soil to enhance soil fertility. Also, ensure the soil temperature is at least 50 to 60 degrees before sowing to prevent slow germination or rotting.
3 Build a Support
Before planting the seeds, it is good to provide support by setting up a trellis or teepee 7 feet long. A teepee, for example, assembles three 7-foot-tall branches or bamboo poles, trying them at the top and splaying the bottoms of support in a circle in the garden.
4. Planting
Pole beans are planted directly in the soil under support. Plant three or four seeds around each of the poles 4 to 8 inches apart in rows two to three feet apart. Also, you can plant 4 to 6 seeds in hills about 30 inches apart, which should be about an inch deep. After placing the seeds in holes, cover them slightly with soil.
5. Watering
Pole beans need enough water when growing. Therefore, giving the plants about two inches of water per week is crucial.
6. Weed Control
Weed control is also helpful as it prevents damage to bean roots and competition for nutrients, water, and space. Therefore, when weeds emerge, you need to remove them immediately by uprooting them.
7. Harvesting
After 60 to 70 days of planting, the pole beans will be ready for harvest. This is when pods are long, crisp, and firm.
7 Types of Pole Bean Seeds
For you to grow pole beans, you need seeds to plant, and the following are seven pole bean seeds;
1. Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean Seed
This is a long-time heirloom seed that has incredible flavor and production. This type of seed, when growing its vine, can be 8 feet long and resistant to pests and disease. It is ready to be harvested 65 to 75 days after planting.
2. Scarlet Runner Pole Bean Seed
It is one of the pole bean seeds that you can grow. Its vine can grow 10 to 12 feet and is a good producer. The foliage becomes filled with bright and colorful blossoms, making them gorgeous. Also, these seeds mature after 60 to 70 days of planting.
3. Blue Lake Pole Bean Seed
It is a fast-maturing pole bean seed that can be ready within 55 to 60 days. The seeds are white and grow up to six feet. Pods are long, round, and stingless with a tender texture.
4. Seychelles Pole Bean Seed
It is a pole bean seed with long, dark green, tender pods and 7 to 9 vines. It is ready to be harvested after 55 to 60 days of planting.
5. Rattlesnake Pole Bean Seed
It is fast-growing, productive, and able to tolerate drought. This seed has unique variegated purple and green marbled pods and curved shapes. The mature pods are 6 to 7 inches long and ready to be harvested within 70 days.
6. Climbing French Pole Bean
It is a shiny, dark purple seed that produces stingless and delicious pods about 7 inches long.
7. Purple Podded Pole Bean
This is a high-yielding pole bean seed with pods 5 to 7 inches long that are deep purple. This seed is good for eating fresh or canning and matures in about 68 days.
What is the Best Fertilizer for Pole Beans?
The best fertilizer for pole beans is compost manure because it contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients that help the plant grow.
In addition, there are other seven best fertilizers as listed below:
1. Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant Food
2. Miracle-Gro Shake n Feed
3. Espoma Organic Plant Food
4. Jones Organic Vegetable Fertilizer
5. Dr Earth Home Grown Organic
6. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Vegetable Food
7. Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Edibles
How Many Pole Beans Should I Plant?
Plant three to four pole bean seeds around each pole, 4 to 8 inches apart, in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
Maybe you are wondering how far apart you should plant pole beans. When planting pole beans, you need to space them 3 inches apart at the base of a teepee or a single pole.
Do Pole Beans Needs a Trellis?
Yes, pole beans require a trellis of 10 to 15 feet because the plant grows as climbing vines that need support for growth and more yield.
Should I Soak Pole Beans Before Planting?
No, it would be best if you did not soak pole beans before planting because soaking interferes with the germination of the seed.
Additionally, pole beans do not have a hard outer shell that needs to be soaked to speed germination.
How Often Should You Water Pole Beans?
Pole bean plants should be watered with at least two inches of water weekly to provide moisture to plants, especially during flowering and fruiting. Therefore, this should be done directly to the soil but not on the plant itself
Which Part of Plant Produces the Bean?
A bean is produced when the plant flower is pollinated and the seed pod is developed. This seed pod matures and produces beans, and therefore the flower produces beans.
When to Harvest Pole Beans
Pole beans are ready for harvesting 60 to 70 days after planting or 7 to 14 days after flowing, depending on the variety planted.
Harvesting is carried out when the pods are firm, smooth, and crisp but before the pod seeds have fully developed.
Do Pole Beans Come Back Every Year?
No, pole beans do not come back every year. Once they die, they fall, but they can live for a year in an ideal climate. These beans can be grown regularly, and you can replant them yearly.
