How to Grow a Red Bean Vine

Choose a site and prepare the soil. Select a planting site where the bean plant will receive full sun. Have the soil tested and incorporate amendments as recommended. Beans prefer a slightly acidic to neutral, silt loam or clay soil. Adequate drainage is important. Improve soil structure and increase available nutrients by working organic matter into the soil.

Build or place trellises or supports for the beans. Pole beans require adequate support put in place at the time of planting. Possible supports could include tepees of long branches or poles, or 6-foot stakes with twine strung between them to form a trellis. Plant ornamental beans next to arbors, decorative trellises or fences to create a unique landscape interest.

Plant bean seeds once the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed. The seeds should be planted about an inch deep, though the ideal planting depth depends on the specific variety. Plant seeds 4 inches apart in a row in front of the trellis or plant two to four seeds at the base of each pole.

Water the seeds thoroughly at the time of planting and soak the soil as needed throughout the growing season. Watering frequency should vary depending on weather and soil type; beans grown in sandy soil require frequent watering while sites with high moisture retention may only need irrigation during dry periods.

Control weeds regularly throughout the growing season by hand-pulling or hoeing, but take care not to cultivate too deeply and damage lateral roots that grow near the soil surface.

Prolong the life of ornamental beans by picking beans off of the vines before they reach maturity. This will help to maintain the bean plant's brilliant and lush appearance until a killing frost occurs.