How to grow climbing beans

Healthy Growth

This could be a bumper year for climbing beans in my backyard!  It has been 49 days since I planted climbing Blue Lake Pole Bean seeds and they are growing with exceptional vigor. The flowering vines have reached 10 feet in height and they are falling over the trellis reaching for the sky. I've also noticed that the leaves are bright green and free of insect damage. So what have I done differently this year to produce such awesome plants?

Before planting, I dug in a dusting of my magic formula of organic kelp, fish, alfalfa and bone meal combination. I also added some well composted farm manure that I collected from a local equestrian stable. In addition, had warm weather this spring and that has contributed to fast and healthy plant growth. When the plants were about 3' tall I applied 2-3 inches of manure compost to retain moisture and discourage the weeds. Shortly after this application the plants shot up! I can't help thinking of the magic beans Jack in the Beanstalk! 😄

Sunny morning after rainfall

I've also been watering them occasionally with a nutrient rich manure tea brew that is high in nitrogen. To make the brew add 2 shovels of composted manure into a large garbage can and fill it with water. Another option is to fill an old pillowcase with manure and tie it off. This will keep the solids from mixing with the tea but is not essential to the outcome. Using a stick or shovel mix the brew and let it sit.
The tea brew will be dark brown colour and should be mixed with water. I use a two gallon watering can 1/4 with the brew and top it up with water. The tea brew will look like weak tea and will go directly to the plant roots.

This organic fertilizer will provide your plants with a healthy dose of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium and other nutrients to keep your plants green and productive. Feed your magic beans, my friend.