St. George

Family: Fabaceae Legume

A slow-simmering sweetness meets a crisp, snap-forward bite: St.

George pole beans form long, elegant pods that roast up fragrant and caramel-kissed, or shine fresh with a tender, garden-clean crunch. Their texture stays pleasantly firm, holding shape through the season for reliable harvests and beautiful color in the bowl. Grow St. George for standout pod presence—then let its rich, bean-forward flavor carry you through sautéed sides, hearty sauces, and pickled accents.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Clumping

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Aug 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

St. George pole beans stay firm while cooking, so they can take real heat and still deliver that snap—then swing into caramel-kissed sweetness when roasted. They’re built for skillet brightness (lemon/garlic) or simmered bean-sauces where the pods won’t collapse into a watery mess.

Best Uses

high-heat dry-sauté or quick roast until blistered and still crisp
toss into a lemon-garlic skillet for a bright, snappy side
slow-cook for bean-forward sauce thickness without turning mushy
quick pickle accents for tangy crunch

Flavor Profile

slow-simmering sweetness snap-forward crisp bite bean-forward vegetal richness roasty caramel notes

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon browned butter smoked pork white vinegar parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests commonly attack scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus, St. George), and how can I stop them?

Watch for aphids on new growth and for leaf damage from bean beetles (often seen as holes) during warm spells. Spray aphids off with a strong jet of water, then spot-treat remaining clusters with insecticidal soap; for beetles, remove heavily affected leaves early and use an insect net to limit adults. Avoid wetting foliage to reduce secondary issues like fungal leaf spots that can follow insect damage.

How often should I water St. George runner beans during peak growth?

During flowering and pod set (about midseason through maturity), keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for roughly 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply at the base 1–2 times weekly rather than frequent light sprinkles, and let the top 2–3 cm (about 1 in) dry slightly between waterings to prevent root stress. Mulch helps stabilize moisture, which is crucial for consistent pod filling in this ~100-day crop.

How do I know when St. George (Phaseolus coccineus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the pods are fully formed but still tender, typically around 90–100 days from sowing, before seeds toughen. Pods should snap or bend easily and look glossy and evenly developed; if seeds inside are bulging and the pod feels fibrous, it’s past the best eating stage. For a longer harvest window, pick every few days once pods start, because runner beans keep producing over the season.