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Pole Bean

Kentucky Wonder

Fabaceae

Spacing8 per sq ft
Days to Harvest65d
Expected Yield2-3 lbs per sq ft per season

Pole Bean

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Variety History

Kentucky Wonder, also called Old Homestead, dates to the 1850s and was one of the most widely grown pole beans in America. It is vigorous, productive, and has excellent flavor even when pods are large.

Regional Context

Pole beans outyield bush beans per square foot and produce over a longer window — ideal for small PNW gardens. Kentucky Wonder is a vigorous heirloom with excellent flavor. Blue Lake pole type is also excellent. Plant once in late May and harvest until frost.

Growing Technique

Direct sow when soil is warm (mid-May), 8 seeds per sq ft. Provide a sturdy trellis 6-8 ft tall before planting — poles, teepees, or cattle panel arches. Train young vines to the support. Pole beans produce over a longer season than bush beans — expect harvest from mid-July through September. Pick frequently (every 2-3 days) to keep plants productive. Leave a few pods to mature fully for seed saving.

Watch For

  • Slugs at seedling stage — bait and hand-pick. Mexican bean beetles and rust (same as bush beans). Trellises must be sturdy — a full-grown pole bean teepee catches wind and can topple. If vines reach the top of support, pinch the growing tip to encourage branching rather than letting them flop over.

Recipes