Pole Beans Versus Bush Beans

Chris McLaughlin, contributor

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I can't grow enough pole beans. These are the bomb!

 

Photo by clkolhan under the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0.

Oh sure, bush beans start out looking promising - only to sorely disappoint in the end.

 

Photo by gd1cker under the Creative Commons License 2.0.

Here's some of that stupid Baby's Breath I can't seem to grow.

 

 

Photo by c_chan808 under the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0

I can't grow enough pole beans. These are the bomb!

 

Photo by clkolhan under the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0.

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Growing green beans has always been a pleasurable experience in our garden. We've grown them on bamboo poles to create tee pees for the kids. We've grown them up and over compost bins both to hide the chicken wire, as well as to make use of a structure that was already in place. At this moment, we have beans growing at the base of our cold frame that has newly planted summer lettuce. Our theory is that as the vines climb, they'll help shade the lettuce and keep it from bolting as long as possible.

Yes, green beans have been good to us - that is, the pole or runner bean varieties. Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder, and Scarlet Runner have been champions for many years in our gardens. As far as bush beans go; I've become completely disenchanted. Year after year, they start out lovely and we fall under the illusion that this year we have the right variety that's sure to bring lots of tasty produce. But no matter the variety or year, they all sorely disappoint.

The only plant that's disappointed me more is Baby's Breath (Gypsophila paniculata). Now here's a plant I've completely given up on. I can't seem to grow those seeds to save my life here in Northern California. Which makes no sense at all because we can grow virtually anything here in Nor Cal, but I digress.

Am I destined to give up precious space in my veggie beds for plants that produce a mere handful of beans and then sit back and relax for the rest of the season? Am I starting them too early? Watering them too much? Too little? Not performing the right voo-doo ritual standing naked over them during a full moon? Because if that's what it takes, I assure you, I've done far more for much less.

I realize that most gardeners will agree the runners produce not only the tastiest snap beans, but are the most prolific; producing harvest after harvest in the same season. Still have places in my garden that aren't conducive to growing the pole varieties and I know someone out there must have the name of that elusive-but- pretty-damn-great bush bean variety.

So, I'm asking for your help. If any gardener out there has some great bush bean varieties they'd like to share with me, I'd sincerely appreciate it and will make a spot for them immediately. If all you have to offer is kinky Voo-Doo rituals, I'd like them, too.

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Comments (5)

ChrisMcLaughlin writes: idahocowgirl: Sadly, I wish I could use coolness as an excuse, but I live in Northern California and we don't have anything close to short seasons here. It's looking more an more like the problem is in my court. BUT I am going to keep the names of the ones you mentioned because I think this is a worthy experiment!
Posted: 6:15 pm on July 31st

idahocowgirl writes: I'm not sure what your climate is like but where I live it is very short season and not a lot of heat long enough. I have good luck with Tender Crop, Top Crop and Contender. I can't grow pole beans here because the season is too short. If too cool is the issue, try using a tunnel cover to get the beans up and going. Good luck!
Posted: 5:40 pm on July 29th

ChrisMcLaughlin writes: yourownvictorygarden: It's making me wonder if it's the zone. My Kentucky Wonders (pole) have never failed me...and I don't give them any special love, LOL. I agree, I need to keep trying!

djlw51554: Thanks for the "Jade" recommendation - I'll look for that one and give it a go. I have never seen this one and since that's the case, it fills me with hope.


Posted: 1:39 pm on July 29th

djlw51554 writes: I have had the same problem. I have an uncle who is a consummate veggie gardener. He recommends to me a bush bean called "Jade". The reviews for it on Gurney's website sound very promising. It's going to be my next attempt.
Posted: 8:52 pm on July 28th

yourownvictorygarden writes: I'm not much help here Chris, except to tell you what I've done in the VERY trying and unpredictable North Texas climate.

The bush variety Blue Lake 274 has always done well for me every year except one. I grow it in Spring and Fall.

I've been wanting to do more pole varieties since I already have a couple of trellises to use. This year I tried Kentucky Wonder and it flopped. I may have planted it too late or the soil in the new raised beds I've build hasn't 'matured' yet.

I grabbed a packet of the bush variety Tendercrop and will try it in a few weeks, as soon as we're safely out of our yearly 'heat spell season'.

I suppose beans are just like tomatoes in that there are so many varieties you can try, and hopefully succeed with.
Posted: 6:48 am on July 23rd

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