How to Train Pole Beans

Install a six-foot pole near your pole bean plant when the plant is a few inches tall. The pole can be made of metal, wood or bamboo, or you can train your pole beans on a fence or trellis, as long as it's tall enough. Make sure your pole or trellis is sturdy enough to support heavy plants once beans start to grow.

Begin training your plants when they are tall enough to reach the pole. Wrap the small vines around the pole or trellis, training new growth every few days. The beans will wrap tightly around the pole as they grow taller. If your beans are reluctant to wrap around the pole, try loosely tying the vines in place using soft string or pantyhose.

Continue training your pole beans throughout the summer. Beans will continue to grow all summer, and new growth should be trained to the trellis or pole to prevent the vine from trailing along the ground.