Pole Bean - Key Growing Information

A planting of pole beans showing the vines, leaves, and flowers, as well as developing seed pods.

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Phaseolus vulgaris

CULTURE:

Grow pole beans on trellises, poles, or mesh fencing (such as Hortonova).

DAYS TO MATURITY:

From date of direct seeding.

DIRECT SEEDING:

Sow seeds 1" deep, spaced 3" apart in rows 4' apart after soil temperature exceeds 60°F (16°C). If using poles, plant 4-6 seeds at the base of each pole. Inoculants can increase yields.

AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE:

50 seeds/12' or 10 poles; 250 seeds/60‘ or 50 poles; 500 seeds/120' or 100 poles; 1M/ 250' or 200 poles.

INSECT PESTS:

Mexican bean beetles can be controlled with insecticides such as pyrethrin or azadirachtin.

DISEASE:

Plow under or remove and compost bean straw in the fall to hasten destruction of most disease organisms. For sclerotinia white mold control, plant at wider row spacing to promote drying of plant leaves and soil. Practice a 3-year crop rotation, preferably into corn or grain crops. All our pole bean seeds are Halo-Blight free.

HARVEST:

Harvest regularly to encourage new pod set.

STORAGE:

Store at 40°F (5°C) and 90% relative humidity for 7–10 days.

SEEDS/LB.:

See individual varieties.

PACKET:

50 seeds, sows 12' or 10 poles.