How to Germinate a Scarlet Runner Bean
The scarlet runner bean is a native of South America but also grows well in the United States. It is a perennial vine that is valued both as an ornamental and for the edible bean pods that it produces. The flowers of the scarlet runner bean are bright red or orange in color and the pods have a green color similar to other bean pods. The vine germinates well from seeds planted in the spring. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Wait until the spring when there is no longer a chance of frost in your region. Look for an outdoor location that has dark soil and that is damp but not soggy. Choose a location that has a vertical support structure to support the vine such as a wall, fence or a trellis.
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Dig up all weeds and grass in the area using your hands or chopping them out with a garden hoe. Loosen the top 3 to 4 inches of the soil and smooth the top out evenly.
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Create a 1-inch deep trench along the entire length of the planting site using the hoe. If you are planting multiple rows of the scarlet runner bean, space the trenches at least 2 feet apart.
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Place the scarlet runner bean seeds into the bottom of the trench, spacing them at least 3 inches apart.
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Rake the removed soil back into the trench until it is completely filled. Pat the top of the soil lightly with your hands to firm it, but do not pack it down tightly.
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Water the area to a 2-inch depth to moisten the seeds. After planting, monitor the site daily and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Germination occurs in approximately one to two weeks.
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Tips & Warnings
Once the seedlings reach 2 to 3 inches high, identify the strongest ones and remove all others, leaving a space of approximately 6 inches between the plants.
