Picture taken 6-14-09
Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans
Phaseolus vulgaris
65 day.
Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans, also knows as Old Homestead, produce 7-10 inch pods and are brown seeded. They are stringless is you pick before the seeds get large. I always like the seeds to get larger because they have more of a beany flavor. One description says the vines grow to 8’. Well, I have grown them in Minnesota and here in Mississippi, and I can tell you with experience, that the vines never stop growing until cooler weather arrives. It also says it takes 65 days from planting to harvesting your first beans… Well, I think it takes longer. It may be 65 days but it just seems longer. In 2010, I will try and do much better at logging when I plant and harvest my first beans. They do produce continually until frost, although the cooler weather did slow them down quite a bit. In Minnesota, the temps went from warm to freezing in a matter of hours, so it is easily said that they produce continually till frost.
They don’t mind the heat, though, as long as you water them when necessary.
Picture taken June 28, 2009.
I usually plant them in a row with a good trellis. A teepee may be OK, but keep in mind that you will have to hunt for some of the beans under the leaves. Using a teepee method would make them harder to harvest. Also, keep in mind that when you use a trellis, you will have to make it tall…much taller than I have had in the past. You will have to use strong poles on the end and every 4-5 feet or the poles will break when the vines get heavy with rain (or from watering) and it gets windy. Don’t think you can get by with smaller poles that you can add to as the vines grow.
Me in front of the Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans on July 15, 2009.
As they grow, and you get busy doing other things, you will be surprised at how time flies and you don’t have time to add to the poles. It is much better to plan for pole beans growth when you plant the seeds. Get it done first and you won’t go outside after a good storm and find your pole bean trellis on the ground… I used good 8’ Bamboo stakes to make the trellis in Minnesota and never had any problems. But, I didn’t have enough 8’ poles here because I had to use them on the tomatoes and I couldn’t find any more. SO, I didn’t get to use good poles here this year. So, when I tell you to start out with good poles, it is because I have learned by experience! I tied bigger stakes to the trellis several times and it isn’t easy when there are vines to deal with! Picking up a trellis full of beans isn’t an easy task because you can only pick up one end at a time unless you have help.
Japanese Bean Beetle Attack! OUCH!!! August 7, 2009.
The Japanese Bean Beetles can be a problem for sure. I sprayed them with a good Neem solution ad they pretty much took care of them. You do have to spray at least once a week to keep them in check. The stink bugs also get on them and both these insects will eat not only the leaves, but also the beans.
