There are difference in variety. Purple Podded Pole bean is extremely vigorous and would swallow the garden whole, but Marvel of Venice yellow Roma type pole bean is as wimpy as can be.
Reading over my previous post, using the word "runner" might have been confusing. Using the word in terms of beans now, I also grow Scarlet Runner beans. They are very slow growing in my garden in the beginning of the season, then around about now, will start to pick up speed, and by September, will threaten to topple whatever support it's on. So I have to provide a good sturdy and large support, but am resigned to watch its slow-mo growth. I can take advantage of that, however, by growing something UNDERNEATH that will be mostly done by the time the Scarlet Runner takes off.
Jal, I can see corn in the background, tomatoes in the foreground and your tepee system for the green beans reminds me of how I once supported them before I built a permanent trellis for them to climb on.
Just how large is your garden? Looking at the photo, I don't see much in the line of nearby housing, just open spaces. I'm getting envious of all that room.
Just how large is your garden? Looking at the photo, I don't see much in the line of nearby housing, just open spaces. I'm getting envious of all that room.
Wow, very impressive. Only up to 3 hrs. a day to maintain that large a plot is a part-time job with full time benefits. You obviously know what you're doing since all plots look to be in excellent condition.
I too used willow shoots for my pole beans. I'd cut them from the Miss. River batture (the area between the levee and the rivers edge.)
I too used willow shoots for my pole beans. I'd cut them from the Miss. River batture (the area between the levee and the rivers edge.)
AS that is a FANTASTIC idea. I'm wondering of it would work for me to put a few arches over a raised bed to let the pole beans climb and plant lettuce and spinach and things like that beneath them so not only allow for more food but to help shade them when summer heat sets in and possibly extend their time.
It's just brilliance
It's just brilliance
Well, I gave pole beans a go this year, and, I must say, they just keep growing and growing. They actually got all tangled-up with my cucumbers since some of them were planted too close.
I think I underestimated the height that the fence would have to be. I had a 2 foot tall chicken-wire fence that I planted them along and right now, they are all just clustered up, sprawling across the top of it .
I think next year, if I don't have a trellis large enough, I'll go with bush beans as they really don't need support.
I'm still picking a lot of beans, though.
I think I underestimated the height that the fence would have to be. I had a 2 foot tall chicken-wire fence that I planted them along and right now, they are all just clustered up, sprawling across the top of it .
I think next year, if I don't have a trellis large enough, I'll go with bush beans as they really don't need support.
I'm still picking a lot of beans, though.
[quote="garden5"]
I think I underestimated the height that the fence would have to be. I had a 2 foot tall chicken-wire fence that I planted them along and right now, they are all just clustered up, sprawling across the top of it .
The top of my 2 trellises are close to 7 ft. off the ground and my pole beans and cucumbers always reach the top and cluster there. My current crop of Kentucky Wonder and Japanese Yard Longs are making their way to the top of the trellis very quickly-----especially the yard longs. I like the idea of an arbor like another poster mentioned, so other, less heat tolerant crops can grow under it.
I think I underestimated the height that the fence would have to be. I had a 2 foot tall chicken-wire fence that I planted them along and right now, they are all just clustered up, sprawling across the top of it .
The top of my 2 trellises are close to 7 ft. off the ground and my pole beans and cucumbers always reach the top and cluster there. My current crop of Kentucky Wonder and Japanese Yard Longs are making their way to the top of the trellis very quickly-----especially the yard longs. I like the idea of an arbor like another poster mentioned, so other, less heat tolerant crops can grow under it.
Yeah, the arbor idea is definitely one to try next year.gumbo2176 wrote:garden5 wrote:
I think I underestimated the height that the fence would have to be. I had a 2 foot tall chicken-wire fence that I planted them along and right now, they are all just clustered up, sprawling across the top of it .
The top of my 2 trellises are close to 7 ft. off the ground and my pole beans and cucumbers always reach the top and cluster there. My current crop of Kentucky Wonder and Japanese Yard Longs are making their way to the top of the trellis very quickly-----especially the yard longs. I like the idea of an arbor like another poster mentioned, so other, less heat tolerant crops can grow under it.