by Thriving Mama

Created on: July 11, 2009   Last Updated: July 12, 2009

If you are a fan of fresh green beans and can wield a watering can, then take on the task of growing your own pole, or climbing, beans. True to their name, this variety of green beans will begin as a small plant and then shoot off runners that will climb whatever surface you give it to climb. In two to three short weeks vines reaching up to six feet tall will appear in your garden, with fresh beans soon to follow.

When considering growing green beans, first you will need to choose a location where you can plant your beans where they will get adequate sunlight and have something to climb. This bed, if using the square foot gardening method, only has to be eighteen inches wide by whatever length you choose with a climbing trellis constructed along the center of the bed, lengthwise. It is easiest to harvest your beans if you can access both sides of the bed and climbing structure. Trellis panels or fencing wire with six-inch squares both work great as a climbing structure and are available at your local do-it-yourself store. Your climbing structure can be attached to fence posts and your bed is ready to go. Your climbing trellis should be able to be easily removed and attached 12-18 inches off the ground.

Next you need to select your seeds. Seeds for various types of climbing beans are readily available in the spring at any store that has a garden shop, and even some that don't! While it is very easy to get impatient to get your seeds in the ground, it is important to wait until after the danger of the last frost has passed for your area. Once you've purchased your seeds, you may germinate them in a container with a paper towel dampened with warm water to give them a bit of a head-start. You will want to start the germination approximately one week before it is safe to plant them outside. Once little roots have begun to sprout from the seeds, and your night-time temperatures above freezing, it is time to plant.

As you prepare to plant your seeds, you will want to make sure that the soil is turned and has enough organic material to provide nutrients for your beans. Remove your climbing trellis and turn the soil with a shovel, mixing in compost or peat moss as necessary. Once the soil is prepared, re-attach your climbing trellis. With six to eight inches of planting width on either side of your planting trellis, plant your seeds in the center of each swath, every three to four inches. Each foot of length of your bed can accommodate six to eight

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