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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
09 Mar 13, Carol Groves (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
M y climbing beans are climbing beautifully , but no flowers yet.they are about 6 foot high.Carol.
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Mar 13, Jade (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
try again with a different batch. I would think you should see flowers even at 2 or 3 foot. I have 'searles' climbing blue.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Dec 12, jolene (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
How high does the bean stalk go and how do I support the stalk al the way? It seems like it will go forever high?? (-: When will I know to remove the whole plant and start from scratch, with other words? How many times do I reap from one plant before I take out the whole plant and plant a new one?
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Nov 12, Marcus Rees (Australia - temperate climate)
My French runner beans appear to be doing quite well. They have flowered and are now fruiting, however they are all yet to put out runners and none are taller then 40-50cm. Any ideas?
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Oct 12, Stehen King (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Climbing beans - basal leaves are developing dark red/brown spots surrounded by yellow haloes. Leaves then become pale yellow and die.Had this in bean crops in a different bed last year. Help pls. Thanks for any ideas.
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Oct 12, amy (Australia - temperate climate)
im growing climbing purple beans and i realy need help about how much sun they need thx HELP
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Sep 12, Tracey (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Good day I'm searching for Scarlet runner bean seed, please help thank you Tracey
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Sep 12, Brian (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can help with other varities, contact me on [email protected] and i can give you some suppliers to try
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Aug 12, (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
My Runner Beans look beautiful. Sadly I have only had a few beans and the little ones are withering away or are just little tiny stalks. The leaves have holes in them. I have captured two insects. One looking like an elongated Ladybug is brownish with black Spots and the other a reddish brown with spots. One almost triangular shaped beetle.hard as nails, brown on top and green underneath. Could it be humming birds eating the flowers? Any help with this would be appreciated. I live in Ontario Canada
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Mar 12, martin (Australia - temperate climate)
Scarlet runner beans like lots of water and do not seem to set beans untill the days grow shorter in autumn. In Sydney try planting them in well limed soil in mid January so they begin to flower around mid March.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 211 - 220 of 261 comments
See comments for all plants

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.