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

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04 Feb 15, Shamim (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Green locust is eating away pomegranate leaves. How do I get rid of them?
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31 Jan 15, Peter O'Mant (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Please can you tell me where I can buy scarlet runner bean seed for my small vegetable garden
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16 Oct 14, Kevin Wilson (Australia - temperate climate)
when do I start fertilising scarlet runners
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03 Sep 14, Sivuyile Madliwa (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I am looking for fine green beans suitable for green house production.
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02 Aug 14, nokwanda (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Are Hannes seeds still available? I also need scarlet runner beans desperately. Please help.
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21 Dec 14, Chris (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
The "Painted Lady" is a runner bean like scarlet runners. Sold by organicseed.co.za
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09 May 14, Pat O'Donnell (Australia - temperate climate)
the edge of some of the leaves appear to be wilting or being attacked by some bug
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20 Apr 14, tyler (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in Hobart tasmania can I plant my beans now?
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28 Mar 14, kwoba lawrence Juma (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Am actually a Kenyan, i've used south Africa because there was no option for Kenya, and its in Africa. Am doing a project on the performance of climbing beans in different soils, as my undergraduate project. i would like to have your advice about the same. am a Kenya, carrying out the project in Eldoret region of kenya.
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18 Feb 14, Robyn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If I can add to my own question, I have just found some tiny black and white bugs with very long antennae on the leaves of the plants, and tiny little holes in the leaves. I've tentatively identified the bugs on the Net as coon bugs, but can't find any info on how to get rid of them. Has anyone had any experience of these?
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Showing 171 - 180 of 261 comments
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There are two main things to think about when practicing crop rotation. The first; what condition (nutrition, minerals, tilth) will this crop leave the soil in. In this case your current crop is beans -- they fix their own nitrogen, so their roots will be full of nitrogen nodules (little white bubbles) and provided you just turn the roots into the ground -- the nitrogen will be available for the next crop. So your next crop CAN BE a heavy nitrogen feeder -- there should be lots of nitrogen there. Also beans do a surprisingly good job at breaking up the soil...maybe breaking up is too strong a word -- beans leave the soil very light and well blended with good aeration. Beans are not heavy feeders and therefore you don't need to worry about them depleting the soil of anything in particular, a basic application of manure should restore things. -- The Second concern of crop rotation is ; pests -- what pests did the beans attract ? Generally beans attract slugs and the sort of insects that feed on tender leaves (as young beans have very nice tender leaves) -- so ideally you want to plant something that these insects/slugs don't feed on -- something like tomatoes (their leaves are not suitable -- or tend not to be suitable for slugs). Then review what you would like to plant -- and determine the plant that best suits the conditions. Nightshades tend to be the most typical choice to follow beans -- Nightshade is a family of plants that includes tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and peppers. Since you are probably already set up with poles - I might go for indeterminate tomatoes (which are really vines and require support).

- Celeste Archer

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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