Growing Beans - climbing, also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners

Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus coccineus : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                  P P P

(Best months for growing Beans - climbing in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 61°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 4 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 9-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, spinach, lettuce, summer savory, dill, carrots, brassicas, beets, radish, strawberry, cucumbers, zucchini, tagates minuta (wild marigold)
  • Avoid growing close to: Alliums (Chives, leek, garlic, onions), Florence fennel

Your comments and tips

22 Dec 10, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Jeff, if they are still flowering - or next time - try spraying the the flowers with water. For some reason, scarlet runners like some rainfall, real or artificial to set their beans.
11 Dec 10, Martin (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Graham, I had the same problem in Adelaide, great flowers no beans. I attributed it to Adelaide being too hot. My father-in-law in Warrnambool used to hose his runner beans with cold water to try and trick them into setting.
02 Dec 10, Graham (Australia - temperate climate)
I have Scarlet runner beans growing and they appear to be very healthy there are lots of flowers and they are not dropping off.However they are not setting any beans in any worth while quanties, very few bees visit the flowers. Are there any suggestions as to what the cause may be.
10 Nov 10, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Tip for scarlet runner beans grow them in late November and grow them up a wigwam with 3-8 bamboo stakes. What is the best variety of climbing bean for yield?
14 Oct 10, margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
i love beans.but i cant find the chinese long beans .for ready to plant?
02 Jul 10, ken bryan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
leaves are turning yellow at the bottom of the plants and falling off
04 Jul 10, Natalie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds like it is a nitrogen deficiency. treat plants with fish emulsion on foliage and roots. the other thing it could be is bean fly. usually affected plants stems become swollen and cracked and the plants may become yellow. So check for swollen and cracked stems. if it's bean fly, you could try making a batch of garlic and chilli spray and spraying the plants. hth
14 Jun 10, Joanna van Kool (Australia - temperate climate)
When the scarlet runner beans die back in Winter, does one cut them back or just let them wither on the trellis?
23 May 10, roger cooper (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Where can I buy Runner bean seeds local to Melbourne ?
21 May 18, Don (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Email me, I have many at school in Narre Warren South, after years of searching for seeds... Free to a good home, but will need to be picked up :)
Showing 241 - 250 of 261 comments

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