Bean Plant - Runner Bean 'Polestar'
Image © Stephen Shirley Use This Image

Bean Plant - Runner Bean 'Polestar'

Phaseolus coccineus 'Polestar'

Here is everyone's favourite with a better habit, excellent flavour and extended cropping.

This variety also tends to be stringless too (unless you allow them to get so ridiculously long).

For the truly best flavour and sweetness pick when they are no longer than 6"-8".

Supplied as compost block grown plants.

Back to Vegetable Plants

How To Grow Runner Beans

Plant out late May to June 9" apart in rows 18" apart.
Provide support for these to climb up to a height of around 6 - 8 feet using netting, a bamboo cane structure or similar.

For Runner Bean Wigwams
Using a dustbin lid or similar as a template, drive into the ground six eight foot canes and tie together at the top to produce a wigwam effect.
Set out one plant at the foot of each cane.

Top Tips
Runner beans are deep rooted and love a rich, well drained but moisture retentive soil so consider making a 'bean trench' over the winter.
Don't be in a hurry to sow or plant outside early as Runner Beans don't like the cold. Seed will not germinate at a soil temperature below 50°f.
Mulch around the plants to conserve water and keep well watered from flowering time onwards.
Excessively warm temperatures, particularly at night may inhibit bean formation by preventing pollen grains from germination. Whilst syringing flowers does not help pod set it may help cool the flowers if done late in the evening, though improved cropping should resume with cooler night temperatures.

For something completely different and to maximise crop space try growing runner beans using the Three Sisters method.