Growing Pole Beans- Benefits and Instructions

 

 

Benefits of Growing Pole Beans

  • Medicinal- Beans may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, help manage diabetes, help boost the immune system and regulate the digestive system.
  • Nutritional Profile - Beans contain Vitamin A,C, potassium and magnesium.
  • Use in: Soups, salads, roasted, grilled, steamed, crudite, pickled.
To our Legumes Collection

 

 

 

Growing Instructions 

Culture:

Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Soil: Rich, deeply worked soil with a pH level of 6.5. Pole Beans are light feeders.
Moisture: A mulch of compost or straw is beneficial to control weeds and hold moisture. Keep the plants well-watered in dry weather, especially if they are grown on an upright trellis or poles against a shed or house where soil tends to dry out.
Planting: Plant after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is warm (18 C).  Pole beans need something to climb while growing, you can use poles, teepees or a trellis. Don't erect the climbing supports until at least 2-4 leaves have developed.   
Spacing: Plant 9 pole bean plants per square foot of growing space using Square Foot Gardening Method.  Or plant in rows 16 inches apart. 
Sow seeds: Sow seeds 2 inches deep

 

Harvesting:

Pick young, full size pods when smooth and crisp. Pods are mature once the beans start to form. Harvest regularly for a constant supply. Beans for shelling are picked when the seeds reach full size but are still tender. Pick shell beans when the pods are still green and the swollen seeds are visible from the outside. Beans that are to be dried stay on the plant until the seeds are hard and rattle in the pods. The alternative is to cut the plants when pods turn yellow and hang the plants in a warm dry place until the pods become brittle and the seeds rattle in the pods. It’s best to harvest dry beans before the pods spilt open and the beans spill out. Pods can also be dried on screens or racks indoors.

Storage/Preparation:

Beans can be stored in the refrigerator crisper for 7-10 days in a plastic bag or container to maintain moisture.  Beans also freeze very well and can be pickled or lacto fermented.  Store dried beans in airtight jars, but sure the beans are dry before storing them to avoid spoilage.

Companions:

Carrot, corn, chard, pea, potato, eggplant. Avoid cabbage & onion families.