This week, my group weeded and planted pole beans under a teepee. I was curious as to why we used a teepee rather than a single pole or a flat trellis, so I did some research. I discovered that teepees are commonly used for planting pole beans and other climbing plants in biointensive farms and gardens because they are self supporting structures that conserve space, allowing you to grow more beans in a smaller space without having to worry about the structure falling down. All that is needed to construct one are five to six wooden stakes and some rope or garden twine to hold them together at the top. A circular irrigation tube is placed in the middle, and each bean plant should be planted between one of the holes on the irrigation and one of the poles of the teepee so that they are both properly watered and are able to climb up the poles as they grow.
We transplanted twelve pole bean seedlings under one of the two teepees behind the hoop house, and another bed group did the same with the other one. While weeding to prep the bed, we were able to both collect some grass and weeds for compost as well as find a couple of carrots planted earlier to be taken home.
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