Is it possible to grow pole beans up the stalks of sunflowers? My DH doesn't want to venture into corn this year, so that option is out. Don't have the funds right now to invest in wire or bamboo trellis systems and thought this might be a good alternative.
Pole Beans & Sunflowers
I bet you could if you started the sunflowers early enough.
I am not sure that is a good idea because I think sunflowers give off root secretions which deter other plants? I could be wrong?
My cucumbers grow like weeds up the sunflowers, haven't tried beans but it is worth a try.
Oh! I hadn't thought of cukes! Great idea!
Well, that is good to know. I'll have to try that.
I think I'll grow some the "regular way" with a trellis and try some with the sunflowers. I'm going to use an old wooden ladder for some of the pole beans this year. I'm sure the neighbors will love seeing that in the backyard all spring and summer! LOL
There is nothing wrong with an old wooden ladder covered with pole beans.
What kind of pole bean do you grow?
This year, we're growing Blue Lake pole and bush beans. We tried KY Wonder last year and didn't like them. We didn't have much success with our pole bens last year either.
I grow runner beans on trellis in pots in the driveway.
This year I have bought purple pole beans.
But I like the idea of the ladder as trellis----just might copy that idea.
We have an old 12' ladder that is rickety. I'm going to commandeer it. I think we also have an old 6' ladder that might become a garden fixture as well. I might even check some garage/estate sales and see if I can find a few more.
Garage/estate sales....any old excuse will do.
I was thinking that some kinds of okra will get tall with a strong woody stem. Maybe okra early and pole beans later. I know I've seen it get 5 or 6 feet which isn't ideal but they could all just tangle up and drape back down.
Another thought is the Florida Weave system normally used on commercial tomato fields. If you did that through a row of okra or sunflowers it would provide additional support and more to climb on.
I thought about okra today, too. Will look into the FL Weave thing. Good idea!
guys, okra will produce all summer -- sure you want to hinder that? Maybe it would work -- who knows?
What is the Florida Weave system? Never heard of it?
I found this...
http://www.specialtycrops.colostate.edu/techniques/trellis.htm
Ms Robin I was about to post that and you beat me to it. I guess we're giving google a good work out this morning.
Oops...Sorry, Twiggy. If I don't check out new info right away, I promptly forget about it or lose it in the threads somewhere.
Thanks for that link. Since mine are grown in pots it would not work that well.
It would be good (on a small scale) if I get my grow box going.