Mark off a circular area about 5-6 feet in diameter. Use a shovel to loosen the soil (about a foot down) and remove grass and weeds. Mix in compost or other organic matter (not manure) before raking the soil surface smooth. Beans thrive with the addition of phosphorus, so lightly sprinkle bone meal around the edges of the tepee site.

Space the poles evenly around the circular area (except allow some extra space between the two that will frame the door) and set the ends of the poles near the edge of the prepared soil bed. Sink the bottoms of the poles into the soil about 6 inches. Bring the tops of the poles together and tie them with twine. (This takes at least two people and may require a ladder). To ensure that the poles are tied securely, wrap the twine over, under, and around the ends of the poles several times. Finally, run the twine around the tepee in a successively higher circular fashion (see diagram) to provide a climbing surface for the bean vines. Be sure not to run the twine over the proposed door opening.

Make 5 or 6 holes (1-2 inches deep) around the base of each pole and every 3-6 inches around the outside of the tepee. Place a seed in each hole and cover the seeds with soil. Soak the ground with water and keep the soil moist for one to two weeks until the beans have sprouted. Spreading a layer of mulch inside the tepee helps keep it weed-free.

When the bean seedlings are about 2 inches tall, thin them to 6 inches apart by pulling out the least healthy plants. You can give the young plants a boost with the addition of fish emulsion or a 5-10-5 fertilizer. (Follow the directions outlined on the package). You will need to guide the vines toward the poles and twine so they have a surface on which to climb.

Beans are fast growers. Within a month, the tepee will be covered with leaves. Flowers are produced in about two months. The beautiful red trumpet-shaped flowers of scarlet runner beans are a favorite nectar source for hummingbirds. The beans are ready to harvest in about three months.

To pick the beans, hold the vine while gently pulling the pods. In general, pods are ready to pick when they reach 3-5 inches in length. It is best to pick the pods before the beans inside make the pod bumpy. If beans remain on the plant too long they tend to get tough and stringy. Also, the more beans you pick, the more the plant will produce.

Gourds can be interspersed with beans and grown up the tepee frame. Children can harvest and use the gourds for making birdhouses, dippers, and sponges (luffa).

BEAN TEPEE

Recommended ages: 3 and up; 2 adults for children 3-5; 1 adult for older children

Estimated time: 1-2 hours preparation; ongoing maintenance

Materials:

• circular area 5-6 feet wide
• hand trowel, hoe, shovel
• 6-8 poles (bamboo works well) 6-9 feet long
• heavy garden twine
• scissors
• compost or organic matter (leaves)
• scarlet runner or other pole bean seeds
• watering can
• ladder or step stool

Optional:

• mulch (hay, straw, shredded bark)
• bone meal
• 5-10-5 fertilizer or fish emulsion

Suggested varieties

Scarlet Runner beans: grow to 10 feet, have large leaves and bright red trumpet flowers that attract hummingbirds

Purple-podded beans: produce dark purple beans that turn green when cooked