The Bean Pole Snap Blue Lake, 'Phaseolus vulgaris', is an old favorite. Blue Lake Pole beans have a beany, sweet flavor and they are fiberless and meaty. Some say pole beans have better flavor than bush beans. If this is so, Blue Lake would support that suggestion. The outstanding flavor combined with high yields make growing these vigorous 5 to 6 foot vines worth the time. They are excellent canned, frozen, or eaten fresh.
Plant after the last average frost date. Pole beans prefer rich, organic, and well drained soil. Snap beans are ready to pick when the pod "snaps" or breaks in half cleanly. This is when the seeds have just begun to form.