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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18 Feb 14, Robyn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted purple king runners recently and they began climbing well, then died from the bottom up, just as quickly. Have just tried again and the same thing is happening. They are getting enough water and other plants in the garden (they share a bed with capsicum) are not having problems. Any advice would be appreciated.
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01 Feb 14, Allen Lee (Australia - temperate climate)
Scarlet runner beans can be obtained from"Diggers seeds"this is UK's .most popular bean they also have a few selection in beans.
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24 Jan 14, Cynthia Lazarus (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi there! Could you give me Hannes Gous contact details as I would really love to plant some yardlong beans for my soup kitchen! Tks !
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16 Jan 14, Marilyn (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy Scarlet Runner beans in Rockingham Western Australia
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17 Apr 14, Lyn (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm in Rockingham and bought mine in Bunnings Rockingham. They grew extremely well (just about took over the garden) with lots of flowers but very few beans. I think it is the wrong climate for Scarlet Runners as it is too hot to set beans. I'm going back to the ordinary round runner beans.
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30 Dec 14, Di (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try snake beans. They are also known as yardlong. I find them generous and hardy. I grow both the red and green types. I love scarlet runner beans but sadly, they only seem to do well in cooler climates.
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12 Dec 13, sabrin (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
how far apart do you plant scarlet runner beans
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03 Jan 14, Julie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Sabrin, we planted ours about 30 cm apart.
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05 Dec 13, Angela (Australia - temperate climate)
I have the purple kings growing. started off really well lots of flower and quite a few beans before they had reached the top of the pole. Now the lower leaves are all turning rust colour and not producing many beans. any suggestions. I have fed them with dynamic lifter about 3 weeks ago. They have had water from reg rainfall. 2 or 3 heavy rains per week.
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12 Nov 13, Georgia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
just wondering, what pests and diseases climbing beans are prone to?
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Showing 181 - 190 of 261 comments
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Short pods on healthy plants could be caused by poor pollination due to heat. Beans are a warm season crop but pollination and bean set on climbers like Scarlet Runner can be reduced on very hot days. I have seen Scarlet Runner with some good pods then a gap on the flower spike where the beans didn't set pods then more pods. Beans are self pollinating and don't set on very hot days. I presume the plants are growing from a root that has been in the ground for a number of seasons. As you suggest, regularly picking is a must to stop beans going tough. Cutting back the tops of the runners will reduce your harvest in the short term but will encourage denser growth and may make the plants more manageable. I trust this helps. Maybe another reader has some ideas to solve your problem.

- John

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