Pinto Beans – “Half Runners”

Q: What is a “half runner” pinto bean?

A: Half-runner beans have a growth habit mid-way between bush beans and pole beans. Bush beans make short sprouts barely a foot long. Half-runners make sprouts around three feet long. Pole beans make runners five to eight feet long. Even though half-runner beans can grow fine without trellising, you’ll get more beans if you make a low net trellis they can climb; otherwise they make a tangled mess.