Bean Pole Runner Scarlet Emperor Seeds

Botanical Name: Phaseolus coccineus

Days to Maturity: 75 days

Family: Fabaceae

Native: Mexico and South America

Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 10 and warmer; otherwise grown as an annual.

Plant Dimensions: 4'–7' long vines

Variety Information: When young, 4"–6" long, flattened, dark green; used as snap bean. When mature, up to 12" long pods used for shelling.

Type: Runner bean

Attributes: Attracts Hummingbirds

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 65°F, ideally 70°–85°F. Successive Sowings: Every 7 to 14 days up to 80 days before your average first fall frost date. NOTE: In very hot summer areas, skip sowing as high heat approaches; temperatures consistently above 90°F will prevent beans from forming.

When to Start Inside: Not recommended; bean seedlings are sensitive to root disturbance.

Days to Emerge: 6 – 12 days

Seed Depth: 1"

Seed Spacing: 1 seed every 6"

Row Spacing: 36"

Thinning: Not required

Harvesting: Snap beans are ready to pick when the pod "snaps" or breaks in half cleanly. This is when seeds have just begun to form and the pods are several inches long (depending on the variety). Hold stem with one hand and the pod with the other hand to avoid pulling off branches, which will continue to produce. Harvesting early and often will stimulate flower production for more beans. At season's end, plants are great compost material if they are disease-free.