Bean Seeds - Pole - Kentucky Blue
50-75 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris. Kentucky Blue Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, high-yielding, AAS Winner, drought and heat tolerant, high-yielding, pole, snap string bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to Bean Common Mosaic Virus (race 1) and Rust. Kentucky Blue Pole Beans are a remarkable variety that combines the best traits of the classic 'Kentucky Wonder' and 'Blue Lake' pole beans. This hybridization results in a bean that is not only high-yielding but also offers exceptional flavor and tenderness. Yet, the plants are open-pollinated! The vines can reach impressive heights of 6 to 8 feet, requiring sturdy support structures like trellises or poles. The beans are long, slender, and deep green, typically reaching 6 to 7 inches. They are stringless and have a sweet, tender flavor, perfect for fresh eating, canning, or freezing. ~89 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Kentucky Blue Beans in the Vegetable Garden
Amend the soil with high-quality compost before planting. For optimal growth, plant seeds 1 inch deep directly into the garden soil after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 60 F. Space the seeds 4 to 6 inches apart within rows, and maintain 24 to 36 inches between rows to ensure adequate air circulation and ease of access. The plants have a climbing habit, so installing support structures at the time of planting is essential.
Consistent watering is crucial, especially during flowering and pod development. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist but avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root diseases. Mulching around the base of the plants helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Since beans fix nitrogen in the soil, they generally do not require heavy fertilization.
Companion planting with corn, cucumbers, or radishes can be beneficial. Avoid planting beans near allium family members, like onions and garlic, which can inhibit bean growth. Regularly inspect the plants for pests such as aphids or bean beetles, and employ organic pest control methods if necessary.
Harvesting Kentucky Blue Beans
Begin harvesting when the pods are about 6 inches long and before the seeds inside begin to bulge. The beans should be firm, crisp, and snap easily. Gently pick the pods by hand or use scissors to avoid damaging the vines. Regular harvesting encourages the plants to produce more pods, extending your harvest period. As a snap bean variety, Kentucky Blue Pole Beans are best enjoyed fresh, steamed, sautéed, or preserved by canning or freezing. They are not typically dried or used as shell beans.
About Kentucky Blue Bean Garden Seeds
Kentucky Blue pole bean’s strength lies in their ability to produce over a long season, climb vertically, and that their pods are stringless, making for easy culinary preparations.
Kentucky Blue Pole Beans are a nutritious food choice for nearly anyone. They are low in calories and rich in vitamins A, C, and K and dietary fiber.
Gardeners often choose pole beans over bush beans for one of two reasons: they want to save space by allowing them to climb vertically, or they want to harvest the beans more easily without bending or kneeling. The only downside is you need to provide a trellis or some type of structure for them to grow up.
Kentucky Blue is one of the few bean plants to win the prestigious All-American Selections Award. It is not a true hybrid F1 variety because it is open-pollinated, and the seeds breed true-to-type.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"If you have tried Kentucky Wonder or Blue Lake pole beans before, you have to give Kentucky Blue a try! It is sure to exceed your expectations.
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Kentucky Blue Bean Seeds Per Package:
- 20 g - Wholesale - Approximately 63 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 356 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 1,424 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 7,120 Seeds
- 25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 35,600 Seeds
Non-GMO Kentucky Blue Bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
=======Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Phaseolus vulgaris |
| Bean Sub-Type: | Not Applicable. |
| Kentucky Blue Bean Color: | Green |
| Kentucky Blue Bean Flavor: | Tender and sweet. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 50-75 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 4-6 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 18-36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 60-96 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Vining |
| Soil Preference: | Beans prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. As light feeders and nitrogen-fixing legumes, beans do not require nitrogen-heavy fertilizers. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow when soil temperatures are reliably above 60 F. Planting with an inoculant may increase yields, but is certainly not required for a successful grow. |
| Start Indoors: | Not Recommended. Beans grow best without any root disturbance. We recommend direct sowing instead of transplanting. |
| Bean Pollination: | Beans are self-pollinating as they contain both the male and female parts within their flowers, unlike other fruit and vegetable plants. While they are self-pollinating, having a variety of pollinators and flowers around will improve yields by ensuring the greatest chances for pollinating events to occur. |
| Snap or Shell Bean: | Snap - Snap beans have a fleshy edible pod. Snap beans are also commonly referred to as string beans or green beans (though not all snap beans are green). They are called snap beans because they make a snapping sound when you break them in half. |
| Pole or Bush Bean: | Pole - Pole beans are vining-type plants that put out runners that grow very long or tall. Pole beans are so-called because they require a trellis, support, or wait for it… a pole. Pole beans require more effort than bush beans, but may also be grown in containers with the right support. |
| Plant Width: | 18 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 66-86 days. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Resistant to Bean Common Mosaic Virus (race 1) and Rust. Beans are susceptible to beetles, aphids, spider mites, and cutworms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Keeping your bean plants clean from dust build-up and surrounded by a variety of plants to help deter and prevent pest damage. Beans are also susceptible to powdery mildew, bean blight, rust, and root rot. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
| Bean Use: | Fresh eating, canning, freezing, and cooking. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Drought, Heat |