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

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

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	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

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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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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GardenGrow

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

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

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

Your comments and tips

GardenGrow

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

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

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

Your comments and tips

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