65 Days to maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris . Blue Lake Pole FM1K Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high yielding, drought tolerant, pole, snap string bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to Bean Common Mosaic Virus (race 1, 15). Blue Lake FM1K is known for its high yield and for producing tender, flavorful green pods that are perfect for fresh eating, canning, or freezing. The plants are vigorous climbers and grow well on trellises, maximizing vertical space in the garden. If you love Kentucky Wonder Bush Beans and want an equally high-yielding pole version, Blue Lake is the way to go! The oval pods produced are crisp and tender, growing up to 6" long. This variety is a type of green or string bean. They grow quickly and are easy to grow, making them an excellent addition to the home garden. ~110 seeds/oz.

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Latin Name: Phaseolus vulgaris
Hardiness Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter
Days to Maturity: 65
Days to Germination: 5-10
Seeding Depth: 1 inch
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.
Bean Sub-Type: Not Applicable.
Plant Spacing: 4-6 inches
Row Spacing: 18-36 inches
Plant Height: 60-96 inches
Plant Width: 18 inches
Growth Habit:Vining
Growth Speed: Early - Ready for harvest around 45-65 days.
Deer Resistant: No
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).
Germination Temperature: 70-90 F
Light Preference: Full Sun
Pests and Diseases: Resistant to Bean Common Mosaic Virus (race 1, 15). 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.
Blue Lake Pole FM1K Bean Color: Green
Blue Lake Pole FM1K Bean Flavor: Smooth and sweet.
Garden Size: Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container
Bean Use: fresh, preserving, canning, freezing, casseroles, stir-fries, salads.
Climate Tolerance: Drought

Growing Blue Lake Pole FM1K Beans in the Vegetable Garden

Pole bean can be started indoors but performs best if sown directly after the final spring frost. Sow 2-3 seeds one inch deep and 2-3 inches apart in moist, Organically rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. Whether direct sowing or transplanting, thin out strongest starts to every 4-6 inches in the garden as true leaves establish. Pole beans require immediate trellis support as seedlings will be looking to vine as soon as true leaves emerge. Plants thrive from a top layer of mulch to help cool soil and roots. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which will cause excessive vegetative growth with minimal bean pod production.

String pole beans don’t typically require fertilization beyond rich soil. If you have poor soils, use a low-nitrogen blend and apply as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and pod development. Blue Lake beans prefer consistent moisture, but overwatering should be avoided to prevent root rot. Regularly inspect the plants for pests and diseases, and maintain proper airflow around the base by keeping weeds at bay. Mulching around the plants can help conserve moisture and prevent weeds.

Harvesting Blue Lake Pole FM1K Beans

Blue Lake Pole beans are harvested when the pods are about 6-7 inches long and before the seeds inside have fully developed. These are snap beans, meaning they are eaten whole, not shelled. The best time to harvest is when the pods are young and tender, typically about 60-70 days after planting. You can tell they are ready by gently bending the pod; it should snap easily. Harvesting regularly encourages the plant to produce more beans. To harvest, simply grasp the pod and gently pull it from the vine. You can use scissors if needed to avoid damaging the plant.

About Blue Lake Pole FM1K Bean Garden Seeds

Blue Lake Pole beans originated in the U.S. in the early 20th century, specifically bred for the canning industry. The name "Blue Lake" comes from the area in Oregon where it was developed. The FM1K variety is a selection that continues to uphold its reputation for consistent, high-quality yields, uniform pods, and excellent flavor.

Blue Lake beans are world famous for reliability, disease resistance, flavor, and high yields. This is basically the pole version of the famous bush type that is widely planted for the canning industry. If you like Kentucky Wonder, Blue Lake will blow you away!

Tips From Our Gardeners

"If you have a tall enough trellis for these beans to grow up, it is nice because you don’t have to bend down so much to harvest them."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

Examples Of Seed Variation - Natural Vs Man-Made Materials

Blue Lake Pole FM1K Bean Seeds Per Package:

18 g - Wholesale - Approximately 68 Seeds
30 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 100 Seeds
4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 428 Seeds
1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 1,712 Seeds
5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 8,560 Seeds
25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 42,800 Seeds

Non-GMO Blue Lake Pole FM1K Bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.

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