How to Identify and Care for an Achievement Scarlet Runner Bean

The Achievement Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus) is an edible vegetable of the Fabaceae family. The cultivar is Achievement. This bean is great for freezing and the seeds (beans) are high in protein. Dry them into beans. You can also eat the young beans (often referred to as snap beans). Both the hardiness zone and the AHS Heat Zone for this plant is undefined, but it may not fruit if temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Instructions

1. Identify the Achievement Scarlet Runner Bean by its long pods. If you are looking at this plant prior to the pods emerging, it will have small leaves and flashy purple flowers during the bloom time. This plant may grow upwards of 12 feet high.

2. Plant the Achievement Scarlet Runner Bean in partial shade to full sun, depending on the area you live in. If the summers are long and hot, plant in partial shade. The soil should be a mixture of sandy loam to clay loam with a pH of 6 to 7. For maximum growth, select a site for these beans about six months ahead of time, and dig a well-rotted compost into the soil for at least a foot.

3. Water the Achievement Scarlet Runner Bean quite a bit–the soil needs to stay moist, especially at flowering time. Do not let the soil get soggy. Use organic fertilizers for this plant, as you will most likely be eating the beans. If you do use a chemical fertilizer, be sure it is safe to treat edibles with the particular brand you choose. Fertilize as instructed on the package, especially with organic fertilizers such as fish emulsion.

4. Create a support structure for the Achievement Scarlet Runner Bean. This is a running vine, so will need a trellis or other support to keep the vines up off the ground. It will grow towards the sun, so make sure you keep it manageable, else plant it in an area where it can grow to its full potential.

5. Protect the Achievement Scarlet Runner Bean from pests such as the Mexican Bean Beetle. It is common in the Eastern United States and looks like a dreary ladybug. It has a tan back and black spots. Use row covers in the spring to keep this bug from laying eggs. Keep garden debris picked up. If your plants get infested, check with agricultural authorities in your county regarding legal insecticides for edible plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Each plant puts out about two pounds of beans. Picking young pods encourages the plant to produce more.

• Pick the beans before the pod seeds swell too much.

• If you let this plant grow to its full potential, you may not be able to reach some of the pods. Keep this in mind when choosing a place to plant.

• Be sure to use flexible ties, as this plant will soon outgrow any ties used to keep it on the trellis.

Resources

• Backyard Gardener