Pole Beans: Tips to Maximize Your Harvest

Those of you with pole beans in your gardens are probably enjoying their rapid growth in this warm weather. Here are four pointers to maximize your harvest.

Thinning plants. Pole bean seeds are generally planted  3 to 4 inches apart along the base of a linear trellis, teepee-like support structure, or other support. Pole beans may also be planted in hills of 4 to 6 seeds, with each seed a few inches apart around a single stake or other support. Regardless of planting method, thin to final spacing of about 4 to 6 inches between plants depending on variety.

Nitrogen. When grown in new beds or not inoculated, beans may benefit from supplemental nitrogen every 2 to 5 weeks while actively growing and producing pods, preferably from low-salt sources such as fresh compost or well-composted manures. Beans are sensitive to salinity; be cautious about using amendments that may create excessively saline conditions, such as fresh manures, urea, or chemical fertilizers. Manures may have high levels of salts, depending on the type or source. Too much soil nitrogen may prevent beans from setting pods.

Mulch. Mulch soil to retain moisture, minimize weeds, and keep soils cool during spring and summer.

Pruning leaves and stems. To maximize yields, GardenZeus does not recommend cutting back or removing pole-bean leaves or stems.

For complete information on growing pole beans, go to GardenZeus and enter your zip code; then go to pole bean.

For information on how well the traditional planting combination of corn, squash and beans works in your area, see Three Sisters Planting Combination for California.