'Kentucky Wonder' Pole Bean

Botanical Name: Phaseolus coccineus

Description: This classic is probably the most widely grown pole bean. It has a distinctive flavor, heavy yields and a long harvesting season. The plants bear big crops, too, so you get plenty of beans all season long! Slightly rough, 7 to 8 inch pods should be picked when young for best flavor and texture. Because they use vertical space, they free up the horizontal rows in the vegetable garden for other crops and easier to harvest than bush plants. Support with 5-6 foot poles, trellis, string, fence, or corn stalks as the beans will climb up the corn. Used for canning, freezing, or fresh from the garden.

Chef Jeff's Tips: This traditional crop loves plenty of water in hot weather. There are several types, snap, bush and pole. Bush beans make an attractive border to any garden. Place along the edge of fences or place teepees around them to give them something to grab on to and grow upwards. They produce particularly large yields that are perfect fresh, frozen or canned. The best tip for beans, is pick early and pick often. As the larger pods are removed, several new ones appear to replace them quickly. We recommend 5-6 plants per person for the average family.