growing pole green beans or bush green beans?
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8/8/2019 Growing Pole Green Beans or Bush Green Beans?
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GROWING POLE GREEN BEANS or BUSH GREEN BEANS?
Many
gardeners, organic and otherwise, agree that pole
bean plants produce a better tasting, more tender
bean over a longer harvest period than bush beans.
Pole beans take a little more work to grow than bush beans
because they need to be trellised.
WHERE TO PLANT
Growing Pole Beans will work best in a sunny location with well
drained soil rich in organic matter (manure and compost).
WHEN TO PLANT
Pole Beans can be planted directly into the soil when soil
temperatures reach 60F in the spring.
GETTING THE SOIL READY FOR
PLANTING
For well-drained, nutrient rich soil, mix compost
thoroughly into the soil. Beans don’t grow well in
heavy soil. Adding well-composted manure will help
produce a better bean crop as well.
N-P-K LEVELS
Beans do well even if nitrogen (N) levels are low,
while the phosporus (P) and potassium (K) levels can be moderate and pH levels can be as low
as 5.0. Ideal growth will occur at pH of approximately 6.0.
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GERMINATING SEEDS
Pre-soaking seeds in a compost tea for 25 minutes
may help the seed to be more disease resistant, but
not absolutely necessary.
If you do pre-soak your seeds for to sprout them, be
careful when you plant them as the bean sprout is
delicate may be damaged easily.
Growing beans take approximately 7-10 days to
germinate.
Using row covers will speed up the germination process by helping to maintain the correct soil
temperature.
Bean seeds store well in a cool, dry place for up to 3 years.
STARTING YOUR BEDDING PLANTS INDOORS
Beans generally don’t transplant easily. If your area has a short
growing season you could start them indoors in peat pots or
bedding plant trays 3-4 weeks before your last frost date.
Pole beans take about 10 weeks to begin producing beans.
PLANTING SEEDS OUTDOORS (Not Indoors First)
Plant your first crop at least 2 weeks after
last expected frost; the daytime air
temperature should be about 70F. Pole
beans are quite sensitive to cold.
Space your rows about 3’-4’ apart. If you’re
trellising, plant double rows at 1’ apart. Plant
seeds in approximately 2” of soil and space
your seeds about 8-10” apart.
If you’re using a “tipi” structure, plant hills 3’-5’ apart, and sow 6-8 seeds per hill, later thinning
plants to 3-4 per hill. Set your supports soon after young plants appear.
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To increase bean production (up to 3X that of bush beans), train your pole beans up the trellis,
and use a good foliar spray every 14 days.
WATERING
Don’t over-water newly planted seeds assoggy, cold soil will cause your seeds to rot
before they have a chance to germinate.
Growing pole beans prefer an increasing
water supply throughout the growing
season.
Keep water levels low at planting, moderate at
flowering, and heavy during production.
COMPANION PLANTING / ROTATION
Crops such as corn benefit from the nitrogen
fixing qualities of beans. When beans are
planted following corn, they provide an
excellent nitrogen amendment after corn’s
heavy summer usage.
Bad companions crops include cabbage, onion
family, kohlrabi and sunflower.
Rotation of crops: Follow corn; don’t follow
peas, or bush beans.
WHEN TO HARVEST
Picking beans begins when beans are still young and
tender ; harvest beans when no larger than a pencil, but
preferably somewhat smaller. Seeds should not yet be
seen forming inside the pod.
Harvesting daily encourages a greater harvest; the more
you pick, the more you get. Plus you'll lengthen your
growing season.
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STORAGE
Beans will remain fresh for about a week if
refrigerated.
Once production passes your consumption you may
preserve your beans by canning, pickling, or freezing.
COMMON PESTS AND PROBLEMS
Pest and problems growing Pole Beans are varied, but most can be avoided when pH balanceis correct and soil is aerated with composted materials.
Contact your county extension for specific information for your area.
SAVING SEEDS
Beans are self-pollinating. Some gardeners say
that beans and other legumes can be planted side
by side and won’t cross-pollinate. Other
gardeners have experienced up to 25% cross-pollination.
The percentage of cross-pollination depends on a
number of factors: pollen-carrying insects, the
quantity of nectar sources in the area, and the
type of flower on the bean plant (larger flowers
attract more pollinating insects).
To be safe, don’t plant beans or other legumes (lentils, peas) next to each other, especially in
desert and mountainous areas where pollen sources are less available.
When the pods turn brown and the seeds rattle inside, break the pods open and the beans
should fall out into your hand or a bowl.
If the weather is wet and your beans need to dry, cut the plant off at the ground and hang them
upside down in a warm, dry place to dry.
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When drying is complete, store the dry beans in an airtight container and store in a dry, cool
place for planting. They should keep up to 3 years.