How to Set Up Poles for Pole Beans & Peas

Pole beans and climbing peas need poles, garden stakes or trellises to be healthy and productive. Plants will climb up along the poles, wrapping their vines around the stake as they grow. Poles can be made of metal, wood or bamboo, or you can use a nearby trellis or fence in place of an actual pole. It's important to set up your poles in the spring before you plant your beans and peas, so the roots can develop around the pole.

Pole
Gardening gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Choose poles that are 7 or 8 feet tall for pole beans or indiscriminate peas. Plants can grow to be 6 feet tall, and the bottom 2 feet of your pole will be underground.
- 2
  Install your poles once the ground is thawed, before you plant your beans. Wear gardening gloves to avoid getting splinters or scraping your hands. Grasp the pole firmly and push it into the ground wherever you plan to plant your beans or peas. Push the pole about 2 feet into the dirt to make sure it's sturdy enough to support your vines once heavy pea pods start to grow.
- 3
  Plant your peas or beans at the base of the pole. Once the plants are a few inches tall, begin winding the vines around the pole. If the vines do not stay in place, or don't climb on their own, use soft string or pantyhose to train the vines to the pole. Tie loose loops to keep the vine in place, being careful not to squish the delicate plants.

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