Do Beanstalks Grow Beans?

Pole Beans

• Beans produced on low, compact plants are called bush beans, while pole beans get their name from the fact that they need some type of support, such as a pole, to climb on. A cousin to both types of beans, called half-runner beans, is actually neither a pole nor a bush bean, but something in between. They produce vines like pole beans, but these tend to be shorter and in some instances need no support at all. Unlike bush beans, which all ripen at about the same time, pole beans that grow on long stalks mature over a longer period of time, often extending the harvest into the fall.

Bean Cultivation

• Beans are one of the easier crops to grow, as the seeds go directly into the soil once it has warmed to 65 degrees F. in late spring. Plant seeds 2 inches deep and roughly 3 inches apart in rows at least 2 feet apart, and build a support such as a frame or fence along the rows for the vines to climb on and to make moving between them easier. Another method is to plant the beans in hills, or groups of 4 to 8 seeds on slightly raised mounds built around a pole or a teepee made of several poles, spacing the mounds roughly 2 feet apart. Beans are ready to harvest when they are at least 6 inches long, firm and crisp. If the seeds can be felt through the pods, they've gone beyond the picking stage and can be left on the stalks for use as dry shelling beans.

Types of Pole Beans

• Most pole bean varieties produce white or pinkish flowers just prior to bean production, but Scarlet Runner Bean stalks produce showy bright red blossoms that keep appearing during the harvest period. Other common pole bean choices include Kentucky Wonder, Romano Italian, Kentucky Blue and a yellow variety, Kentucky Wonder Wax.

Considerations

• All beans plants are susceptible to diseases caused by excessive moisture on their foliage, which can quickly spread to other plants. Pole beans are less likely to succumb to diseases that thrive in damp weather, as their growth habits allow for better air circulation which dries them more quickly after a shower or watering. They should be kept well watered during dry spells and mulched to hold moisture and discourage weeds.