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 Jan 19, Alison (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): 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.
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17 Aug 18, John McGregor (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): Hi You say sow bean seeds at soil temps between 16 - 30C or August to April. Our soil temp, in Auckland, wont get to 16C until late October. Will it still be OK to sow in late August. Thanks in anticipation John McGregor
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16 Jan 18, Colleen Middleton (New Zealand - temperate climate): How many years will runner beans regrow for, before having to replant them? I am having a very good yield in their second season...they did take a long time to sprout initially ...possibly due to a cooler than usual early to mid spring.
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07 Jan 18, Maurice (New Zealand - temperate climate): Bumblebees nipping off scarlet runner bean flowers. One writer suggested sugar syrup what quantities and how often do you spray them. Otherwise any other suggestions would be appreciated. .
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12 Oct 17, Jill Farr (New Zealand - temperate climate): I grew Scarlet Runner beans last year and while the plants grew well, they didn't grow any beans on them! I was surprised as I have grown them before many times and never had this problem. I am about to plant some for this season, but am keen to receive any ideas about what I could do to ensure getting a good crop.
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09 May 17, ali (New Zealand - temperate climate): Hi, I am looking into growing fardenlosa shiny beans commercially and have found a lot of useful info. However I can't seem to find info and how long these plants will produce a good crop and when to re sow?
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10 May 17, John (Australia - temperate climate): Shiny Fardelosa beans take 11-13 weeks to harvest and will bear for 2-3 months. If you are growing them undercover they can be planted all year otherwise plant them in spring up until later in the year.
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24 Sep 17, Mel (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate): Hi John, I am growing Fardenlosa in pots in a glasshouse (1500)... are bumblebees the best option to pollinate? cheers
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08 May 17, Mary Holland (New Zealand - temperate climate): Will runner beans give beans for more than 1 year, if left in the soil.?
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08 May 17, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate): Yes, they will keep going unless you get frosts.
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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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