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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
05 Jun 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
My climbing beans' leaves are starting to yellow, dry and drop. At this time of the year the reticulation has been turn off but we've had a bit of rain and I'm still watering daily (when it hasn't rained ) and feeding fortnightly with Seasol. The beans are cropping so well and I want them to continue. Am I watering too much? The ground seems just moist.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Apr 13, Sylvia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can get runner beans from Green Harvest they also have the stringless ones as well.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Apr 13, Louis Weyer (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Where can I get Scarlet Runner Bean seed?
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Apr 13, Scott hunt (Australia - temperate climate)
Someone said I should follow scarlet runner beans with garlic. This conflicts with other advice: any suggestions?
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Apr 13, Sustainable Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
General rule: don't grow legumes (beans, peas) with members of the onion family (onions, garlic etc). You can grow them together but they won't necessarily thrive. Also, beans do all their growing in summer whereas garlic starts in winter and ends in summer...so there will probably only be a small period of overlap ;)
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Apr 13, Judith Reudavey (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing beans from seeds a friend gave me. They have climbed and spread and the purple flowers produce many pods, which we are eating. They don't appear to be scarlett or hiacynth climbing beans, but have a similar habit. I'd like advice for using them - freezing or using in preserves. Thank you
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Apr 13, derek howes (Australia - temperate climate)
where can ibuy runner bean seed , as grown in uk ?
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Mar 13, Carol Groves (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
M y climbing beans are climbing beautifully , but no flowers yet.they are about 6 foot high.Carol.
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Mar 13, Jade (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
try again with a different batch. I would think you should see flowers even at 2 or 3 foot. I have 'searles' climbing blue.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Dec 12, jolene (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
How high does the bean stalk go and how do I support the stalk al the way? It seems like it will go forever high?? (-: When will I know to remove the whole plant and start from scratch, with other words? How many times do I reap from one plant before I take out the whole plant and plant a new one?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 211 - 220 of 268 comments
See comments for all plants

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.