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 Jun 17, Terrie (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Are you still out there Jo? Did you find any runner beans? What is a runner bean? I love to learn about new things.
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08 Sep 18, Nell (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Hi Jo, We have several varieties of Runners here in the US (including white half runner and pink half runner) that are usually dried then stored for over winter use. Maybe they are just more common in the mid-southern area of the US? The are my personal favorite bean. We absolutely have snails (smaller than you are used to ,I am sure) and slugs here, but it is drier here than London so they hide under rock and underground until it rains, or you can find them early in the morning if you have a heavy dew on.
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06 Oct 20, Cynthia M LePere (USA - Zone 8a climate)
There is also the Scarlet Runner Bean.
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19 Jun 11, ARTHUR (Australia - temperate climate)
Maddy 11th May.You can extend the support Maddy.Remember you have to pick them.Atrhur (the mad gardner).
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23 May 11, Naomi (Australia - tropical climate)
is anyone able to help I have been stalks with no flowers? they are dwarf broad beans.
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05 May 11, Maddy (Australia - temperate climate)
My climbing beans have reached the end of their trellis and I can't make it taller. Will that affect their growth?
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13 Apr 11, Diana-Adelaide (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow the purple King and snake bean here in Adelaide. They do much better in partial shade during summer.
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19 Feb 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
My beans are about 45 cm and getting bigger the plant is apprrox 7 ft high
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12 Jan 11, Rukia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Im currently growing alot of things, i have carrots, basil and beans growing (although i have chives growing that wont sprout after 3 weeks scince planting.) but somehow within the pot i have my basil in i have somehow got 3 climbing bean shoots. So far they are about 5cm tall and im worried they will ruin the basil and with the amount of rain im also worried they will drown. Tips or help please?
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21 Dec 10, Jeff B (Australia - arid climate)
Scarlet beans Tried them here in Port Augusta Magnificient growth, healthy and green Lots of flowers 1 bean pod... Planted early when it was cool obviously too hot???
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Showing 231 - 240 of 261 comments
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I have grown mangere pole beans regularly for the past few years but this year's don't taste nice at all - a very strong soapy flavour. I haven't tried cooking any yet - we've just tried them raw. Has anyone had a similar experience? Thank you.

- Alison

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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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