- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
- Learn More
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 66 days
Family: Fabaceae
Type: Snap Bean, Pole Bean (Learn More)
Native: Mexico and South America
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 5'–8' long vines
Variety Info: 5"–7" long, ½" wide silvery-green pods; stringless when young, white seeds. 'Blue Lake FM-1K' is common bean mosaic virus resistant.
Attributes: Bean Mosaic Virus Resistant, Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 65°F, ideally 70°–85°F. Successive Sowings: Every 7 to 14 days up to 80 days before your average first fall frost date. NOTE: In very hot summer areas, skip sowing as high heat approaches; temperatures consistently above 90°F will prevent beans from forming.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended.
Days to Emerge: 6–12 days
Seed Depth: 1"
Seed Spacing: 1 seed every 6"
Row Spacing: 36"
Thinning: Not required
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Snap beans are ready to pick when the pod "snaps" or breaks in half cleanly. This is when seeds have just begun to form and the pods are several inches long (depending on the variety). Hold stem with one hand and the pod with the other hand to avoid pulling off branches, which will continue to produce. Harvesting early and often will stimulate flower production for more beans. At season's end, plants are great compost material if they are disease-free.
- LexiVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars12/2/25Beyond expectation
What a pole bean! I planted along the base of a hugelkultur bed, and they ran over one side of a squash tunnel connecting to another bed. 100% germination, and they grew so many green beans by the end of the season that I couldn’t keep up. Vines grew about 9ft tall. I actually got tired of picking the beans because there were so many, and I left many to dry on the vine for seed collection. Overall a very tasty green bean, great for steaming, pickling, and eating raw. Above and beyond expectation!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests12/2/25Hey Lexi,
Thank you so much for the amazing 5-star review! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that your Blue Lake FM-1K Pole Bean Seeds exceeded your expectations in such a spectacular way!
It sounds like your hugelkultur bed setup was the perfect home for these beans - 100% germination and 9-foot vines are exactly the kind of results that make us do a happy dance! We love that they took full advantage of your squash tunnel and really made themselves at home spreading across your garden beds.
What a wonderful "problem" to have - getting tired of picking because there were just too many beans! That's the kind of abundance every gardener dreams of. It's so smart that you left some to dry on the vine for seed collection too. Blue Lake FM-1K is an excellent variety for seed saving, so you'll be all set for next season's planting.
We're so glad you got to experience the versatility of these beans - steaming, pickling, and eating them fresh raw really shows off what makes this variety so special. There's nothing quite like a pole bean that delivers on both productivity and flavor.
Your experience with the incredible yield and growth will be super helpful for other gardeners who are considering these seeds and wondering what kind of performance they can expect!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- Barbara M.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars3/4/255 Stars
All seeds were great. Having a squirrel problem. Unfortunately they are becoming very well fed. 🐿️😢
- grace e.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars12/16/245 Stars
Excellent germination and hardier than expected! They’ve continued producing down into the mid-30s - Zone 9, Coastal Plains
- David R.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/24/245 Stars
The only reason I did not send pictures is that 2 possums ate all the leaves from the ground for about 2 feet leaving only the stems. They sneaked into garden under the gate. I caught and relocated them. The rest of the plant(s) are really pretty and producing many beans. They just look kind of funny, bare at the bottom of poles and bushy at the top. I have 2 poles of 16 vines each. We really enjoy our beans.
Thanks,
Dave
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Alicia O.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars7/14/245 Stars
Quick shipping, pretty packaging and quality seeds. I am addicted to buying seeds and love ordering from BI! I think this is my 3rd year buying my seeds here.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate