I have a question regarding pole beans. I live in NJ and if you are not familiar with the weather we have been having just think snow. Anyway, I have noticed that there are still some dried pole bean pods up on my trellis. Do you think I could still use them?
Hardiness Zone: 7a
By Amy from NJ
Yes you can use them as dried beans like you get in gro store. Soak them over night. Cook till done, good luck.
Or, you could save them until the weather is warm and plant them.
I am guessing the "poster" is the one who labeled this "Eating pole beans left on the vine over winter." If I was not clear I really wanted to know if the seeds were still good for planting. When dried they are all yellow or brown and dried like paper so I would not think they are edible other than using the seeds. I guess I will give it a try!
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After a few years of delicious crops, my purple pole beans have been discovered by, I suspect, both squirrels and tree rats. They finally took to eating the bean leaves too. Now a few years later, I want to try again by planting in a shallow raised box with a 2x2 or bamboo pole structure and 1/4" fine black garden netting over this. I realize metal mesh, "hardware cloth" might be more rodent proof, but it is expensive. How successful is this plan likely to be?
The invasive black and grey squirrels have effectively eliminated the native smaller brown squirrels. They are so aggressive that they are trying to chew into the cedar shingled garage and house, and have on several occasions succeeded. Then recently the raccoons have enlarged the holes for access to a rodent dinner! The exterminator found "rodent parts' left. Now hardware cloth is being screwed into the spaces under the eaves, between the rafter ends. Welcome to the Pacific NW's 'Critter Corner'.
You could use rat traps and rat bait. You can also cover them with cheesecloth.
Check out these photos.
Pole beans constantly reach out, searching for something to hold on to. The four foot fence is nowhere near tall enough, but the bean will continue on anyway.
Using purchased 2x2 pieces of wood or left over wood scraps and twine you can make a simple pole bean trellis for your garden. This is a page about constructing a simple pole bean trellis.
Bush and pole beans refer to their growth habit, not specific varieties. Many bean cultivars are available in both bush and pole forms.This is a page about comparing bush beans and pole beans.
Green beans are a fun and easy crop to grow. Green beans grow well in many areas and often provide a great harvest. This is a page about growing green beans.
