VegetableBean
Blue Lake FM1K Bean
Blue Lake FM1K is a vigorous pole bean that produces an abundant harvest of tender, crisp green pods in just 60 to 69 days. This open-pollinated heirloom variety climbs to 60 to 96 inches, making it a striking addition to any garden structure, and thrives in hardiness zones 3 through 9. Its exceptional disease resistance and drought tolerance mean fewer headaches in the garden, while its high yield ensures you'll have plenty of beans for fresh eating, canning, or freezing.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Growth Stats
96 in
Height
TypeVining
Spacing
4
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-9
Size
96in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The FM1K designation signals this bean's parentage and stability as a reliable, high-yielding cultivar that gardeners have trusted for decades. Tender, flavorful green pods arrive in about two months, and the vigorous climbing habit makes it a natural choice for trellises, fences, or poles where it'll put on a lush, productive show. What sets it apart from other pole beans is its combination of drought tolerance and resistance to Bean Common Mosaic Virus, making it genuinely low-maintenance even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Common Uses
Blue Lake FM1K beans shine fresh off the vine, with a crisp texture and tender pods that are equally at home on a summer dinner plate or blanched and cooled for salads. Home preservers especially value this variety because the pods maintain their quality through both canning and freezing, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to extend the harvest beyond the growing season.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow Blue Lake FM1K seeds into warm soil after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature has reached at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Push seeds 1 inch deep into the soil, spacing them 4 inches apart, and water gently to settle the soil around them.
Harvesting
Pick pods when they reach 5 to 6 inches long and while they still snap cleanly when bent; they should feel firm and crisp, not limp or tough. Harvest regularly, every two to three days once pods begin forming, to encourage continuous production throughout the season. Pinch or snip pods from the vine rather than pulling, which can damage the plant.
Pruning
Blue Lake FM1K is a pole bean with a naturally vining habit, so pruning is not necessary. Instead, guide the vigorous growing vines onto your trellis or support structure as they develop, tying them loosely if needed to keep them trained upward.
Growing Calendar
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Phaseolus vulgaris
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Phaseolus
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)VI (I)