How to Tie Bean Plants to Poles

Green beans can be "taught" to climb up poles, as they naturally grow as vines that cling to and grow around what is nearest their roots. For this reason, they are often called "pole beans." There are a variety of ways to tie pole beans--you can even plant the seeds right next to a single, tall, straight pole--but one of the most popular ways is sometimes called a "tepee" or "wigwam," due to its shape.

Soil
At least 3 straight, thin bamboo poles that are at least 6 feet tall (whatever height you choose, make sure they are all about the same height)
Twine
Bean seeds
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Clear out a circular area approximately 5 feet in diameter in your soil. Make sure the soil is well-dug (and fertilized, if desired).
- 2
  Push the poles diagonally into the soil at least a foot down, so that all the poles are pointing toward the center of the circle. Make sure the ends in the soil are about a foot inside the cleared-out circle in the soil. Try to make the distance between the poles the same so that the tepee is not lopsided.
- 3
  Tie all the top ends of the poles together with twine. It doesn't matter how you tie them together, just make sure that it makes a secure structure.
- 4
  Plant the bean seeds a few inches down in the soil. Plant a couple of seeds close to each pole so that the bean plants will grow close to the poles. Water until the ground is moist.
- 5
  Once the bean plants are tall enough to do so, tie each one loosely to the pole nearest it with twine. From this point, the plants should wind around and grow up the poles by themselves. Once they have reached the height of the tepee, remove the growing ends of the plants as they continue to grow skyward. From planting to growing to the top of tepee should take six to eight weeks.

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