Bean Teepee

Six poles lashed together at the top form a teepee trellis that kids can crawl inside and that produces a wall of climbing beans.

Estimated time

30 – 45 minutes

Lifespan

3–5 years for bamboo; 10+ years for metal poles

Soil needed

None — structure over existing bed or ground

Weight empty

5–10 lbs

Weight full

Adds 30–50 lbs of vine load

Best for

Pole beans, peas, morning glories, and small gourds

Placement

Full sun. Leave enough space between teepees to walk and harvest. Anchor well if you are in a windy area.

Close-up of bamboo poles lashed with twine at the top of a bean teepee — Lash the crossed poles tightly so the teepee does not spread and collapse

A full bean teepee covered in climbing pole beans in a backyard garden — A finished bean teepee turns into a wall of climbing beans

Parts to Buy

Part	Quantity	What You Use Them For
Bamboo poles, cedar stakes, or EMT conduit, 7–8 ft	6	Teepee legs
Heavy twine or zip ties	1 roll	Lash the top and create horizontal rungs
Short ground stake plus extra zip tie	Optional	Extra wind anchor for each leg

·Optional: garden fabric or shade cloth for a play tent cover

Steps

1Pole beans only — bush beans will not climb. Use this build for pole beans, peas, or vining flowers.
2Arrange six poles in a circle about 4 ft across.
3Lean all six tops together and cross them about 12 inches from the ends.
4Wrap twine tightly around the crossed tops several times and tie a secure knot.
5Spread the bottoms evenly to form a cone.
6Push each pole 10–12 inches into the ground for stability. In loose soil or wind, add a zip tie from each leg to a short ground stake.
7Wrap twine horizontally around the teepee at 12-inch intervals. This is the difference between a pretty cone and a usable trellis.
8Plant 3–4 pole bean seeds a couple inches out from the base of each pole.
9Water well and watch the teepee turn green.
10Harvest often once pods start forming. If kids sit inside, remember the vines will close the ‘door’ and it gets hot — fun in June, less of a fort in July.

Tools needed

·Scissors
·Rubber mallet or hammer for driving poles
·Tape measure

Common mistakes to avoid

·Poles too short — beans can outgrow a 5 ft teepee
·Not lashing the top tightly — it spreads and collapses
·Planting bush beans instead of pole beans
·Dumping a whole packet of seeds on one pole instead of 3–4 seeds spaced a couple inches out from each pole

Maintenance tips

Guide the first few tendrils onto the poles. Harvest beans regularly to keep vines productive — if they sit too long the vine thinks it is done and stops flowering.

Community builds

See how other gardeners built their bean teepee — and share photos of yours.

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My Bean Teepee notes

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