Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Kentucky Wonder'
A classic heirloom climbing bean that has been a garden staple since the 1850s, beloved for its exceptional productivity and rich, meaty flavor. These vigorous vines can climb 8-10 feet high and produce abundant harvests of tender, stringless pods when picked young. Known for its reliability and old-fashioned bean taste that modern varieties often lack.
Harvest
65-70d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 vine →Zone Map
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Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
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
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical America
Advantages
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Corn
Provides natural support structure for climbing beans while beans fix nitrogen for corn
Squash
Forms the 'Three Sisters' partnership, large leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture
Marigolds
Repel bean beetles, aphids, and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial predators
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, also repel bean beetles
Carrots
Benefit from nitrogen fixed by beans and help break up soil without competing for space
Radishes
Deter bean beetles and other pests while maturing quickly before beans need full space
Catnip
Repels aphids, ants, and flea beetles that commonly attack bean plants
Summer Savory
Improves bean flavor and growth while repelling bean beetles and aphids
Keep Apart
Onions
Inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Garlic
Stunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial rhizobial bacteria
Fennel
Inhibits growth of beans through allelopathic compounds released from roots
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general disease tolerance, some rust resistance
Common Pests
Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Bacterial blight, rust, mosaic virus