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Beans · Phaseolus vulgaris 'Blue Lake Pole'

Blue Lake Pole Bean

Blue Lake Pole Bean is a heirloom bean. Germination takes 7-10 days and fruit ripens from about day 60-65. Skin runs to medium green. Water need is 1 inch per week, avoid overhead watering. Suits zones 2-11.

Beans
60-65days to harvest
7-10days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow after soil reaches 60°F and all frost danger has passed. Plant 1-2 inches deep around poles or trellises.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water
1 inch per week, avoid overhead watering
Soil
Well-drained, fertile soil with organic matter
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
4-6 inches apart, poles 3 feet apart
Season
Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Medium green
Size
5-6 inches long
Shape
Straight, cylindrical pods
Flavour
Classic green bean flavor, tender and sweet

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, steaming, stir-frying, canning, freezing

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Bacterial blight, rust, anthracnose
Resistance
Good resistance to common bean mosaic virus

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
2——June – AugustSeptember
3——June – JulySeptember – October
4——June – JulyAugust – October
5——May – JuneAugust – October
6——May – JuneAugust – September
7——April – JuneJuly – September
8——April – MayJuly – August
9——March – AprilJune – July
10——February – AprilMay – July
11——January – MarchApril – June
12——January – MarchApril – June
13——January – MarchApril – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

CornProvides natural trellis support for climbing beans, creates classic Three Sisters polyculture
CarrotsBeans fix nitrogen in soil which carrots utilize, carrots help aerate soil for bean roots
CucumberBoth are climbing plants that share space efficiently, beans provide nitrogen cucumbers need
RadishesQuick-growing radishes break up soil for bean roots and are harvested before beans need full space
NasturtiumsAct as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attract beneficial predatory insects
Summer SquashLarge leaves provide ground cover to retain soil moisture, benefits from nitrogen fixed by beans
StrawberriesLow-growing strawberries use different soil levels, benefit from nitrogen fixation by beans
RosemaryAromatic oils repel bean beetles and other pests, perennial herb complements annual beans

Avoid

OnionsInhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions and soil chemistry changes
SunflowersCompete heavily for nutrients and water, allelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination
FennelProduces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth and germination of beans and most vegetables

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Protein (g)
1.97
Fat (g)
0.275
Carbohydrate (g)
7.41
Fibre (g)
3.01
Vitamin K (µg)
43.9
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.121
Calcium (mg)
40
Iron (mg)
0.652
Magnesium (mg)
28.2
Phosphorus (mg)
41.2
Potassium (mg)
290
Zinc (mg)
0.35
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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the beans growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

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