Choose a spot that receives at least five hours of direct sunlight every day. Prepare the soil first by digging in plenty of well-rotted compost or manure.
For our project, we’re using 8 foot long bamboo canes, and making the structure about three feet wide. A wide, tall structure can make a fun den for kids to play in.
Use a garbage can lid or similar object as a guide for your circle. Position the first canes at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, then fill in between, setting the canes about a foot apart. Then tie string onto one of the canes, near the top. Flex the next cane towards it and tie it into place. Repeat for each cane until they’re all secured.
Help the beans get a grip of the teepee by running string horizontally across the canes. For this height of teepee we’re using three lines – the first about a foot above the ground, then the other two evenly spaced along the remaining length of canes.
Grow Pole Beans up a Trellis
Sow two beans at the base of each cane, then remove the weakest of the two seedlings. Alternatively, plant well-grown seedlings that have been started elsewhere. Lean young plants against the canes and loosely tie them in. They should then begin to climb without any further help. Water beans after planting and keep the soil moist to encourage steady growth, lots of flowers…and plenty of beans!
Once your beans start producing, check the teepee every couple of days and harvest any pods you find that are big enough. The more you pick, the more they produce.
Our Garden Planner includes a teepee icon that you can drop into your plan and adjust to the size of your teepee in your garden. Check out your plan’s Plant List to see personalized planting and harvesting times for your garden’s location.
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