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 61°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 4 - 8 inches 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

13 Aug 13, Amayo Philliam (Australia - temperate climate)
COMMON CLIMBING BEAN VARIETIES IN UGANDA
06 Aug 13, Peter Lawler (Australia - temperate climate)
I have just cleaned up last years trellis of old runners and have noted the growing of a few new plants in their place. I have cleared additional space for the beans and wonder if I should plant beans now or wait until late September-October as I have done in the past
08 Jul 13, hannes Gouws (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I have yard beans. The beans length grow up to 68 cm. If anyone is intrested in seeds, they can contact me. Hannes
20 Oct 14, Cynthia (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would really lov e to buy some seeds from you ! Need to supplement veggies for Registered Non Profit Soup Kitchen in Benoni Central Methodist Church! We feed from 250 to 300 people every week! Please help! Many thanks! Cynthia!
27 Jan 14, Sue Kingma (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I would love some seeds of yard long beans
03 Oct 13, Roshni (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would be really grateful to buy some seeds.
17 Sep 13, Launa Devis (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Hannes, I would like to obtain some seeds. I live in Secunda and started my own veg garden. I would love to obtain some seeds. Can you help, please? Thanks Launa
04 Sep 13, NICK BESTER (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hannes, Could you please help Nick with some seeds? His email ad is as above. He lives in the west coast at Langebaan. Please email if you have any yard long bean seeds. Regards Ruth Bester ( We do not publish email addresses unless they are part of the comment, Liz Gardenate)
22 Jun 13, psalm (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
PLS HELP ME OUT I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT PLANTING OF RUNNER BEANS IN NIGERIA
06 Jun 13, Anna (Australia - temperate climate)
I have bean seedlings which have been germinated and have 2-4 leaves on each. They are currently inside (a living fundraiser plant). It is time to plant them, but I have just realized it is not the right season. Is there any way to grow them in Melbourne, Victoria this time of year??
Showing 201 - 210 of 268 comments

Since I'm from North America, my answer is a "canned/typical" answer. MANY people use the 3 sisters planting here -- -- The "Three Sisters" planting method is a traditional Indigenous companion planting technique using corn, beans, and squash together in clusters. Today’s gardeners will want to keep in mind that Indigenous cultivators who originated Three Sisters farming would have been growing dent, flint, or flour corn rather than sweet corn. The corn stalks serve as a living trellis for their sister beans. Although you can grow sweet corn as a substitute for the flint type, avoid popcorn. The stalks of these plants are short enough that they might be overwhelmed by the other plants. Don’t attempt to substitute bush beans for the pole type, as the former won’t climb. You can choose whichever type of squash or pumpkin suits your fancy for this sister planting. Keep in mind that summer squashes tend to grow more bushy than vine-like, so they don’t make the best groundcover. In addition to the Three Sisters, you may also want to sow other tall plants, like sunflower, Jerusalem artichoke, or amaranth, in the spaces between the hills. There, squash vines will provide groundcover for them. In addition to attracting pollinators, these extra plants can produce a crop, too. Sow them at the same time you sow the corn to give them a head start on the squash vines. This planting creates a symbiotic system where corn provides a stalk for beans to climb, beans add nitrogen to the soil, and squash covers the ground to retain moisture and suppress weeds, offering a balanced, sustainable food source. The sequence involves planting corn first, then beans a few weeks later, and squash after the beans have started to grow, ensuring each plant supports the others as they mature. Plant the corn and beans on a mound -- and the squash around the mound -- plant the additional plants (if desired) between the mounds (sunflower, Jerusalem artichoke, or amaranth, or other tall plant). So in your case : 1. build your mounds & plant your SWEET corn in the middle of the mound (also plant the additional plants between the mound if desired - don't forget the boron for the corn), give it a couple of weeks, then 2. plant your POLE beans (or Green bean, string bean, snap bean), once the beans are going, 3. plant your WINTER squash around the mound. IF YOU ARE IN A VERY ARID AREA -- mounds dry out quickly, so you'll need to water MORE OR skip mounding and plant this formation flat.

- Celeste Archer

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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