Growing Three Colour Climbing Bean Mix from Seed
By The Diggers Club - Australia's No.1 Gardening Club | Published: 2026-10-27
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to sow, support, and harvest The Diggers Club's Three Colour Climbing Bean Mix for a continuous crop of green, yellow, and purple pods.
Quick answer
Sow Three Colour Climbing Bean Mix seeds directly into warm soil after the last frost, provide a sturdy trellis, and pick pods young for the best flavour and yield.
Why choose a climbing bean mix?
A climbing bean mix like this one saves space by growing upward and delivers a longer harvest than bush beans. The three colours—green, yellow, and purple—make harvesting easier because you can spot pods at a glance. The purple pods turn green when cooked, so they're a fun way to add colour to meals.
The main trade-off is that climbing beans need a strong support structure and take a few days longer to start producing than bush types. But once they start, they keep going for up to 12 weeks.
Step-by-step planting guide
- Choose the right time and site: Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost when soil has warmed to at least 15°C. Pick a spot with full sun and well-drained soil. Sowing too early in cold, wet soil can cause seeds to rot. Wait for warm weather.
- Prepare a sturdy trellis: Install a trellis, teepee, or netting before planting. Climbing beans need a support at least 1.8 m tall. Place it on the north side of the bed so it doesn't shade shorter plants. Setting up the support after seeds have sprouted can damage roots. Do it first.
- Sow seeds at the right depth and spacing: Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep and 10–15 cm apart along the base of the trellis. Water gently after planting. Overcrowding reduces air flow and encourages disease. Stick to the spacing.
- Water consistently: Keep the soil evenly moist, especially when flowers appear. Water at the base to avoid wetting the leaves, which can lead to mildew. Inconsistent watering causes flowers to drop and reduces yield. Aim for deep, regular watering.
- Harvest young and often: Pick pods when they are slender and tender—about 10–15 cm long. Harvest every 2–3 days to encourage more flowers and pods. Leaving pods on the plant signals it to stop producing. Keep picking for a longer harvest.
Product facts
- Three Colour Climbing Bean Mix: This mix includes heirloom varieties ‘Blue Lake’ (green), ‘Golden Wax’ (yellow), and ‘Purple King’ (violet). You get three distinct pod colours from one packet, which makes harvesting easier and adds visual interest to the garden and plate.
Three Colour Climbing Bean Mix
