Heirloom

Blue Lake Pole Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Blue Lake Pole'

The gold standard of pole beans, Blue Lake produces heavy yields of tender, stringless pods that maintain their quality whether picked young or allowed to mature. This reliable variety climbs vigorously to 6-8 feet and delivers consistent harvests throughout the season, making it a favorite among home gardeners who want maximum production from minimal space.

Harvest

60-65d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Blue Lake Pole Bean in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 bean →

Zone Map

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Blue Lake Pole Bean · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches apart, poles 3 feet apart

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, avoid overhead watering

SeasonWarm season

FlavorClassic green bean flavor, tender and sweet

ColorMedium green

Size5-6 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	September – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	August – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	August – October
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	August – September
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	July – September
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	July – August
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	June – July
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	May – July

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Rattlesnake'Pole Snap Bean, 'Rattlesnake'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The boat-shaped seed pods are bilaterally symmetrical and can be green, yellow, white, or purple at maturity. There is a wide variety of color and shape choices among cultivars.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Purple/Lavender, White. Type: Legume. Length: > 3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible, Good Dried

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Blue Lake beans maintain peak quality for 5-7 days when stored unwashed in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Keep temperature around 40°F with high humidity to prevent wilting and toughening.

For freezing, blanch whole pods in boiling water for 3 minutes, then plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and pack in freezer bags—properly blanched beans retain excellent texture for up to 12 months. Blue Lake's meaty pods also excel for pressure canning using tested recipes and processing times.

This variety's tender, stringless pods make excellent pickled beans (dilly beans). Pack raw pods into jars with dill, garlic, and hot peppers, then cover with seasoned vinegar brine. The firm texture holds up beautifully to the pickling process, creating crisp, flavorful beans that keep for months.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Corn

Provides natural trellis support for climbing beans, creates classic Three Sisters polyculture

Carrots

Beans fix nitrogen in soil which carrots utilize, carrots help aerate soil for bean roots

Cucumber

Both are climbing plants that share space efficiently, beans provide nitrogen cucumbers need

Radishes

Quick-growing radishes break up soil for bean roots and are harvested before beans need full space

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attract beneficial predatory insects

Summer Squash

Large leaves provide ground cover to retain soil moisture, benefits from nitrogen fixed by beans

Strawberries

Low-growing strawberries use different soil levels, benefit from nitrogen fixation by beans

Rosemary

Aromatic oils repel bean beetles and other pests, perennial herb complements annual beans

Keep Apart

Onions

Inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions and soil chemistry changes

Sunflowers

Compete heavily for nutrients and water, allelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth and germination of beans and most vegetables

Nutrition Facts

Protein

1.97g(4%)

Fiber

3.01g(11%)

Carbs

7.41g(3%)

Fat

0.275g(0%)

Vitamin K

43.9mcg(37%)

Iron

0.652mg(4%)

Calcium

40mg(3%)

Potassium

290mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to common bean mosaic virus

Common Pests

Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites

Diseases

Bacterial blight, rust, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Blue Lake pole beans take to grow?▼

Blue Lake pole beans take 60-65 days from seed to first harvest. Once production begins, plants continue producing for 8-10 weeks with regular picking. Seeds germinate in 7-10 days in warm soil (70°F+), with flowers appearing 4-5 weeks after germination and pods ready 2-3 weeks after flowering.

Can you grow Blue Lake pole beans in containers?▼

Yes, but use large containers at least 20 gallons with 8-foot support structures. Plant 3-4 seeds per container and ensure excellent drainage. Container plants need more frequent watering and feeding than garden plants. Choose dwarf pole varieties for smaller containers, but Blue Lake's productivity justifies the space investment.

Are Blue Lake pole beans good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. Blue Lake beans are very forgiving and require minimal care once established. They're pest-resistant, produce heavily with basic care, and clearly show when pods are ready to harvest. The main requirement is installing adequate support structures before planting. Their reliability makes them ideal for building gardening confidence.

What's the difference between Blue Lake bush beans and pole beans?▼

Blue Lake pole beans climb 6-8 feet and produce continuously for 8-10 weeks, yielding 3-4 times more per plant. Bush varieties stay compact (18-24 inches) and produce all their beans within 2-3 weeks, making them better for preservation but less efficient for fresh eating throughout the season.

When should I plant Blue Lake pole beans?▼

Plant after soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently and all frost danger has passed—typically 2-3 weeks after your last spring frost. In most areas, this means late May through early June. For fall crops in zones 8-10, plant 10-12 weeks before first expected frost.

Do Blue Lake pole beans need special fertilizer?▼

No special fertilizer needed. As nitrogen-fixers, they actually improve soil fertility. Work compost into soil before planting and side-dress with balanced organic fertilizer when flowering begins. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers during pod production as this creates excessive foliage at the expense of bean development.