Pole bean vines are vigorous and need something to climb on (trellis, tepee, corn, fruit trees). Sow seeds outside 5/15-6/7 (after soil temp has reached at least 60 °). Sow seeds 1” deep, 3” apart. Protect seedlings from slugs/snails (use caffeinated coffee grounds or organic phosphate based slug bait). Days to germination: 6-16. Protect plants from groundhogs & deer. Plant pole beans on the north side of sun loving plants otherwise bean vines may shade them. Pole beans will keep producing beans until frost if kept picked. Beans perform best if the seeds are inoculated with Bean Inoculant at planting time.
For shelling beans, harvest when beans inside the pod are full size but are still green. For dry beans, wait to harvest beans until pods turn brown.
Beans are an easy seed saving crop because they are primarily self-pollinating. Lima bean varieties will cross with other Lima beans but not with other bean species. Isolation distance: 150 feet between lima bean varieties. Minimum population size: 10 plants. Allow seeds to mature on the vine (pods will become tan and dry). Save seeds only from the best plants. Clean seed as a dry-seeded crop.
