Blue Lake Pole Snap Green Bean
25 Seeds
(Phaseolus vulgaris) High-yielding variety produces reliably and consistently right up until frost. Six-inch snap beans hold well on the plant without getting stringy or losing their flavor. Deliciously sweet and crisp. Excellent for steaming, freezing, or canning. Pole-habit. 65 days to harvest. 25 seeds/pkt.
GROWING INFORMATION:
CULTURE: Beans perform best in well-drained soil of normal fertility. Beans do not require supplemental nitrogren as they are able to fix their own, however a fall application of well-aged manure or compost will help to boost yields in poor soils. Avoid planting beans in low-lying or poor-draining areas as this can predispose seedlings to fungal diseases and damping off.
SOWING: After the danger of frost has passed and daytime soil temps average at least 60 degrees, sow seeds 4-6” apart in rows 24-36” apart. Avoid planting when cool, wet weather is forecast as this can increase the occurrence of fungal diseases and damping off. For bush snap beans, make successive plantings every 2-3 weeks through midsummer to extend the harvest season.
TRANSPLANTING: Not recommended for beans.
SUPPORT: Bush varieties do not usually require support. For pole beans, a variety of support options are available. Simple tee-pees can be erected from inexpensive bamboo poles. Alternatively, wire or nylon clothesline can be strung across several posts to support an entire row. Our preferred method is to bend 16’ cattle panels into an arch, planting 4-5 seeds at the base on each side. This makes harvesting easier as the gatherer can stand beneath the arch and grab handfuls of beans hanging below.
INSECT PESTS: Mexican Bean Beetles and Japanese Beetles can be controlled using a simple homemade insecticidal soap solution. Pheromone-based Japanese Beetle traps can also be effective at minimizing damage to plants. Finally, selection of tolerant cultivars is important in areas with known insect issues.
DISEASES AND PROBLEMS: Consult your local extension office to determine which diseases are most common in your area. Site selection is key in keeping bean diseases at bay. Select well-draining sites that do not have a history of disease. Giving plants ample space will allow leaves to dry more quickly and slow the spread of disease. Remove plant debris in the fall and turn over soil to minimize disease carryover. Avoid planting beans in the same location for at least two years. During hot and dry periods, beans may stop flowering or may drop flowers. Pod production will resume once moisture has returned.
HARVEST AND STORAGE: Avoid harvesting beans in the morning before the leaves have dried or after a rain as this can spread disease. Harvest regularly to encourage future pod set. Freshly picked beans can be stored in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Alternatively, they may be blanched and frozen, pickled, or canned.
SAVING SEEDS: Select disease-free plants that are true-to-type. Beans are inbreeding plants and therefore measures to control cross-pollination are usually not necessary. Pods are ready to pick as soon as they have begun to yellow. When a majority of pods have begun to yellow, pull entire plant and turn upside down to dry. After about four days, pods may be picked and shelled. Allow to fully dry for another week, then store in an airtight container at room temperature. If insects are a concern, dust seeds with diatomaceous earth before storing.
(Phaseolus vulgaris) High-yielding variety produces reliably and consistently right up until frost. Six-inch snap beans hold well on the plant without getting stringy or losing their flavor. Deliciously sweet and crisp. Excellent for steaming, freezing, or canning. Pole-habit. 65 days to harvest. 25 seeds/pkt.
GROWING INFORMATION:
CULTURE: Beans perform best in well-drained soil of normal fertility. Beans do not require supplemental nitrogren as they are able to fix their own, however a fall application of well-aged manure or compost will help to boost yields in poor soils. Avoid planting beans in low-lying or poor-draining areas as this can predispose seedlings to fungal diseases and damping off.
SOWING: After the danger of frost has passed and daytime soil temps average at least 60 degrees, sow seeds 4-6” apart in rows 24-36” apart. Avoid planting when cool, wet weather is forecast as this can increase the occurrence of fungal diseases and damping off. For bush snap beans, make successive plantings every 2-3 weeks through midsummer to extend the harvest season.
TRANSPLANTING: Not recommended for beans.
SUPPORT: Bush varieties do not usually require support. For pole beans, a variety of support options are available. Simple tee-pees can be erected from inexpensive bamboo poles. Alternatively, wire or nylon clothesline can be strung across several posts to support an entire row. Our preferred method is to bend 16’ cattle panels into an arch, planting 4-5 seeds at the base on each side. This makes harvesting easier as the gatherer can stand beneath the arch and grab handfuls of beans hanging below.
INSECT PESTS: Mexican Bean Beetles and Japanese Beetles can be controlled using a simple homemade insecticidal soap solution. Pheromone-based Japanese Beetle traps can also be effective at minimizing damage to plants. Finally, selection of tolerant cultivars is important in areas with known insect issues.
DISEASES AND PROBLEMS: Consult your local extension office to determine which diseases are most common in your area. Site selection is key in keeping bean diseases at bay. Select well-draining sites that do not have a history of disease. Giving plants ample space will allow leaves to dry more quickly and slow the spread of disease. Remove plant debris in the fall and turn over soil to minimize disease carryover. Avoid planting beans in the same location for at least two years. During hot and dry periods, beans may stop flowering or may drop flowers. Pod production will resume once moisture has returned.
HARVEST AND STORAGE: Avoid harvesting beans in the morning before the leaves have dried or after a rain as this can spread disease. Harvest regularly to encourage future pod set. Freshly picked beans can be stored in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Alternatively, they may be blanched and frozen, pickled, or canned.
SAVING SEEDS: Select disease-free plants that are true-to-type. Beans are inbreeding plants and therefore measures to control cross-pollination are usually not necessary. Pods are ready to pick as soon as they have begun to yellow. When a majority of pods have begun to yellow, pull entire plant and turn upside down to dry. After about four days, pods may be picked and shelled. Allow to fully dry for another week, then store in an airtight container at room temperature. If insects are a concern, dust seeds with diatomaceous earth before storing.
