Abstract
The growers for Stephen’s Produce grew and marketed pole beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. vulgaris) from 2004 to 2009 to help supply local green markets with a weekend supply of “garden fresh” produce. ‘Fortex’, a French gourmet cultivar, was grown. The beans were trellised on bamboo stakes that were supported by utility wire; the wire also supported snow peas (Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon Ser.). In 2007–08 twenty plantings were made from 27 Aug. to 29 Jan. Pole beans were sold on 25 weekends from 10 Nov. to 26 Apr. The beans were sold in gallon-sized plastic storage bags at $3.00–$3.50 per pound. In 2007–08, an average of 9 lb were sold each week for an average of $31.60 per week.
