Description
Botanical name
Phaseolus vulgaris
Family
Fabaceae
Spacing
Sow the seeds 10-20 cm (4-8″) apart in rows that are 60-90 cm (24-36″) apart. Pole beans need a support structure at least 2 m (6′) high; the vines can grow 1.5-3 m (5-10′) long.
Depth
Lay seeds on their side and cover with 2 cm (1″) of soil. Firm the soil with your fingers.
Requirements
Hot and sunny. Loamy soil, pH around 6-6.5.
Pests
Aphids and spider mites. Both can be washed off with a hard jet of water.
Timing
Direct sow starting in mid-May. Warm-weather crop. Best soil temperature is at least 21°C (70°F). Can have an earlier first harvest if you start seeds indoors. Beans do not love to be transplanted, so handle with care. In our experience, plants started from seeds caught up to the transplants very quickly and the end result was not that different.
Germination
Seeds will sprout in 6-10 days.
Growing
Apart from daily watering, your only care consists of spraying leaves with kelp fertilizer periodically to boost nutrient uptake.
Days to maturity
65 days
Season
Warm, annual
