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Pole Beans Versus Bush Beans
comments (18) July 22nd, 2009
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.
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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.
posted in: beans, growing pole beans, growing runner beans, growing bush beans
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Comments (18)
Posted: 2:05 am on October 26th
Posted: 7:33 pm on February 25th
Posted: 3:12 pm on September 14th
Posted: 2:39 pm on October 27th
Posted: 4:24 pm on September 17th
Posted: 3:25 pm on May 12th
Last year I grew Dragon Tongue beans with moderate success as well. I'm giving it another go this year. Such a beautiful bean! Here's a picture of both beans: http://blog.gardenerd.com/2010/04/27/dragon-tongue-beans.aspx?ref=rss
I love bush beans because they free up my trellises for other crops like cucumbers, tomatoes, and melons (grown vertically). Keep trying, and happy gardening!
Posted: 10:53 pm on April 28th
A couple of things I've learned- 1) they needn't be planted two inches apart because they are so prolific. They get so thick it is hard to pick them through all the foliage. (I found a good recipe for sweet pickled green beans for the extras. If anyone has hints for freezing them successfully, please share. I've tried lots of techniques but still don't like the results.) 2)After my bean seeds rotted in the ground at least one spring, now I use a technique that I use on squashes and corn as well: I allow the seeds to germinate indoors between damp paper towels in lidded plastic fast food containers that I save (all labeled on tape on the top with the variety). I only plant the seeds that have germinated and they take right off when planted in the ground outside because they have passed the difficult process of germinating.
Posted: 7:49 am on April 25th
Give the plants plenty of room between rows. They are a Ferry-Morse seed. Used to be carried by Burpee's too, but no longer.
Posted: 6:41 am on April 24th
Posted: 12:32 pm on April 23rd
Did have luck with the 'Blue lake' bush variety (which is why we chose the Blue lake pole beans). Both Blue lake, and Tendercrop, bush varieties grew well here in Ohio. I used to get a double crop by mowing the bush beans off (mower blade set high). Once they had come back, we had more beans. Pole beans do simplify things since, if you keep them picked, they keep producing.
Doubt if this helps - but, if you are able to grow pole beans, would you need the bush varieties??
Good Luck!!
Posted: 12:19 pm on April 23rd
Posted: 8:36 am on April 23rd
Posted: 7:40 am on April 23rd
Posted: 6:15 pm on July 31st
Posted: 5:40 pm on July 29th
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
Posted: 8:52 pm on July 28th
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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