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Pole beans climb 6 to 8 feet or more and keep producing for weeks, giving a large harvest from a small patch of ground. They take a little longer to start than bush beans, but many gardeners find them more flavorful and easier to pick standing up. This page covers when to sow, what support to give them, how to care for them and when to pick.
Pole beans at a glance
| Type | Vegetable |
|---|---|
| Season | Warm-season |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Plant spacing | 6 in |
| Row spacing | 36 in |
| Per square foot | 8 |
| Seed depth | 1 in |
| Days to maturity | 60–70 from seed |
| How to start | Direct sow after last frost |
| Water | 1 in per week |
These are the same numbers our plant spacing, square foot and harvest date calculators use. See every crop in the plant database.
When to plant pole beans
Pole beans are tender to frost. Sow directly outdoors after your last spring frost, once the soil has warmed to at least 60°F. Because one planting produces for 6 to 8 weeks or more, a single sowing is often enough, though a second sowing a month later extends the season.
Find your dates with the frost dates by ZIP code tool and the planting calendar.
How to plant pole beans
- Put up support before sowing. Use poles at least 7 to 8 feet long, a teepee of three to six poles tied at the top, or a trellis of string or netting. Beans climb by twining, so rough poles and string work better than smooth metal. The trellis post and wire calculator lists materials.
- Choose full sun. Place tall supports on the north side of the garden so they do not shade other crops.
- Sow 1 inch deep. Sow seeds around each pole or along the trellis at the spacing in the table above.
- Plan your space. The plant spacing calculator shows how many fit along a row.
Caring for pole beans
Keep the soil evenly moist, about an inch of water a week, more during flowering and pod set. Water at the base in the morning and mulch. The garden watering calculator turns this into gallons.
Guide young vines onto the support; they twine counterclockwise. Beans fix their own nitrogen, so compost at sowing is usually enough. When vines reach the top of the support, pinch out the tips so the plant puts its energy into pods. Avoid working among wet plants, which spreads disease.
Companion plants
| Grow nearby | Corn, squash, cucumbers, carrots, radishes, marigolds |
|---|---|
| Keep apart | Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots; beets; sunflowers (compete for space and light) |
Pole beans with corn and squash make the Three Sisters planting: the beans climb the corn and add nitrogen to the soil. Check other pairings with the companion plant finder.
Common problems
| Problem | What you see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mexican bean beetle | Copper beetles with black spots; yellow larvae; lacy leaves | Hand-pick beetles and larvae and crush yellow egg clusters under leaves. See the pest identifier. |
| Vines will not climb | Vines sprawl or slip down the support | Smooth supports are hard to grip. Add string or rough twine, and guide vines on by hand. |
| Bean rust | Rusty orange spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and water at the base. |
| Flowers drop | Plants flower but set few pods in hot spells | Heat above about 90°F or dry soil. Keep watered; pods set again when it cools. |
| Aphids | Clusters of small insects on stems and tips | Spray off with water. |
Not sure what you are looking at? The plant problem identifier ranks likely causes from the symptoms you see.
When and how to harvest
Pick pole beans when the pods are firm and full length but before the seeds inside bulge, usually 60 to 70 days after sowing. Check the packet, because flat Romano types and long varieties are picked at different sizes. A fresh pod snaps cleanly.
Pick every 2 to 3 days. The more you pick, the more the plant produces, often until frost. Use a step stool for the highest pods rather than pulling vines down. Store unwashed beans in the fridge for up to a week. Use the harvest date calculator to plan.
Plan your pole beans
- Plant spacing calculator: how many plants fit your bed
- Planting calendar: sowing and transplant dates for your frost dates
- Frost dates by ZIP code: your last spring and first fall frost
- Harvest date calculator: when your crop will be ready
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should I plant pole beans?
Space pole beans 6 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart. In a square foot garden, plant 8 per square foot.
How deep do I plant pole bean seeds?
Sow seeds 1 inch deep.
How long do pole beans take to grow?
Most varieties are ready 60–70 days from seed. Check the seed packet, because early and late varieties differ.
How much water do pole beans need?
About 1 inch of water a week, from rain and watering combined. Water at the base in the morning; wet leaves spread disease.
How tall should a pole bean support be?
At least 6 to 8 feet tall. Use rough poles, a teepee or a string or net trellis, which give the twining vines something to grip.
How long do pole beans produce?
With regular picking, pole beans produce for 6 to 8 weeks or more, often until the first frost.