Scarlet-Runner Beans
Planting, Growing, and Harvesting
Scarlet-Runner Beans
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow scarlet-runner beans in the accompanying table’s tabs:
-
- How many scarlet-runner beans beans to plant
- Growing conditions for scarlet-runner beans
- When to plant scarlet-runner beans
- How to plant scarlet-runner beans
- Watering, fertilizing, and pruning scarlet-runner beans
- Companion plantings for scarlet-runner beans
- How to harvest, store, and use scarlet-runner beans
Growing Scarlet-Runner Beans
Scarlet-runner beans are closely related to snap beans, but they grow tall—up to 20 ft. (6 m)— with more leaves and vivid flowers that produce larger pods and beans picked early for use fresh or dried in the same fashion as pinto and kidney beans.
They are frequently grown as ornamentals rather than for bean production.
Scarlet-runner beans are only available as pole varieties. Each tall vine bears bright red, pea-like flowers that produce clusters of pods containing 3–4 large, flat, oval beans. They are a long-season plant, slower to mature than other bean varieties.
Grow scarlet-runner beans on vertical supports in small-space garden to maximize yield from limited growing areas.
Pick, shell and steam fresh beans as soon as the pods begin to fill, or allow them to mature and dry for shucking and storage for later use in dried-bean recipes or chili.
The flavor of scarlet-runner beans is a bit tart, distinctly different from milder-tasing snap and drying bean varieties.
Scarlet-Runner Beans Plant and Care Guide
How Much to Plant
Allow 3–6 plants per household member.
How to Plant
Seed germinates in 7–10 days. Average climates: Sow seed in garden soil in spring when soil warms to 65–85°F (18–29°C). Mild-Winter Climates: Sow seed in autumn and late winter.
Sow 2–3 seeds 1-1/2–2 in. (38–50 mm) deep, 3–5 ft. (90–150 cm) apart, in rows 4–5 ft. (120–150 cm) apart, installing stakes at time of planting.
Best Conditions for Growth
Growing temperature: 60–70°F (16–21°C). Flowers may fail to set fruit at temperatures over 80°F (27°C); cold, wet conditions cause flowers to drop.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Rich. 6.0–6.8 pH. Prepare soil 12–16 in. (30–40 cm) deep. Rotate bean plantings throughout the garden to enrich its soil with nitrogen.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep evenly moist; avoid wetting foliage to prevent fungal disease of the pods or poor setting of fruit. Apply ample water during the pollination and pod-development stages. Fertilize monthly with 5–10–10 formula or well-rotted manure. Avoid deep cultivation that could cut through the shallow, widespread roots. Powdery mildew susceptible.
Pairing Recommendations
Companion plants for scarlet-runner beans include snap or broad pole beans, corn, pole peas and sweet peas, summer savory, sweet potatoes, and sunflowers.
Maturity, Picking and Gathering
80–105 days. Pick pods when beans first swell inside pods for green, shelled beans; when pods are full and begin to wither for drying. Regular picking encourages production of new flowers and a sustained harvest.
How to Store and Preserve
Fresh in vegetable keeper of refrigerator for 1–2 weeks; blanched and frozen, 3–4 months; pickled or canned in a pressure cooker, 2–3 years; dried in porous, fabric bags stored in a cool, dry location, 1 year. Rehydrate dried scarlet-runner beans by soaking them in hot water at least 4 hours prior to use; beans added directly to chili, soups or stews will remain tough.