How to Build a Kids Garden Bean Teepee

A spring tradition for my kids is to plant their summer 'clubhouse' An easy to build teepee that quick growing vines cover quickly making it a great hideout for them and teaching them a love of gardening.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 12 7 foot long bamboo poles
• 1-2 packs of pole bean seeds, or scarlet runner beans

1. Pick a spot in the garden where you want the teepee to be, if you want to do this every year it's best to choose a new spot every spring to give the soil a chance to regenerate it's nutrients.

2. Space the poles evenly in a 3 foot wide circle and insert the end of each pole into the ground at an angle about 6 inches deep. Tie the tops of the poles together using twine or thin rope until secure.

3. Soak your seeds overnight in a bowl of water to crack the shells to make sure they will grow quickly. Plant the seeds all around the teepee spacing them apart based on what the seed packet says, making sure to leave an opening large enough to use as an entrance.

4. Water the plants, and gently weave them around the poles as they get taller, most will climb the poles on their own. Wait and watch as the kids spend hours in their new clubhouse.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use any kind of quick growing vines for this, beans are a classic, but morning glories make a pretty girls version.
• If you plant a non-edible bean variety such as scarlet or sweet peas make sure that the kids know not to eat the pods.