How to Build a Bean Tower

The many varieties of pole beans produce generous quantities of this crunchy summer vegetable. Whether you choose Black Seeded Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder, Italian Snap, Lima, Scarlet Runner, Romano, Asparagus Yardlong, Purple King or another variety, all pole beans need support to keep them off the ground. Without it, they can rot on the damp soil or fall prey to ground-dwelling creatures such as snails and slugs. Building a simple tepee-type tower with bamboo or plastic stakes is an easy method of helping your beans be as productive as possible.

Bamboo or plastic stakes
Twine
Scissors
Hammer
Nursery tape

Instructions

- 1
  Plant pole beans in circular hills about 18 inches in diameter. Plant seeds or bedding plants around the outer edge of each hill.
- 2
  Position three or four 10- to 12-foot-long bamboo or plastic stakes with their upper tips crossing, leaving about 12 inches of stake above the point at which they intersect each other.
- 3
  Lash the stakes together with twine, wrapping it over and around each stake several times. Cut off extra twine when you are satisfied that your stakes are secure.
- 4
  Pound each stake into the ground at evenly spaced intervals surrounding each hill of beans.
- 5
  Wind bean plants around the stakes as soon as they begin to form traveling vines. Tie two or three plants to each stake with nursery tape or fabric strips to get them started on their upward climb. After you tie the first 12 to 24 inches of the plant to the stake, it will wind up the stakes on its own.

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