Difficulty:
From seeds: Easy, but requires a little bit of time
From young plants: Very easy –suitable for beginners
Why Grow Beans?
Beans are a really easy and rewarding crop to grow. Not only do they produce a fantastically large crop which is very easy to store (by freezing) so none go to waste, but the can look great too, with bright flowers on tall, climbing stems.
Being as tall as they are, they produce beans all over the stems all the way up to the top, so even if you only have a tiny bit of space – one high-yielding plant with a cane for support will take up the narrowest of spaces and will produce an abundance of delicious beans.
There are many different types of bean available:
Climbing French Beans - French beans tend to be on smaller, more tender pods than runner beans. The immature pods are eaten whole, the semi-mature pods are shelled and the beans inside are eaten and ‘flageolets’ and the mature pods can also be shelled and eaten fresh or dried and stored, these beans are like kidney beans. Climbing varieties can reach up to 2.5m in height and are best grown up canes.
Dwarf French Beans – the same type beans are produced as on the climbers (above) but on more compact plants, generally about 45cm tall. These are good for growing in containers.
Runner Beans - Runner beans have a more pronounced flavour than French beans. The plants are more prolific (some can grow up to 2.5m tall) and the beans produced are very long and flat.
Dwarf Runner Beans – These produce beans just as good as on the large runner beans, only on very compact plants. These varieties are actually quite ornamental in containers.
Our Top Varieties
Climbing French Beans: Isabel, Algarve, Cobra
Dwarf French Beans: Supremo, Amethyst, Delinel
Runner Beans: Enorma, St George, White Lady
Dwarf Runner Beans: Hestia
When to Sow Beans
Any beans from seeds: April – June
Any beans from young plants: Plant in May
Harvest Time
Runner beans grown from seed: July – September
Dwarf French beans grown from seed: June – October
Climbing French beans grown from seed: June – August
Dwarf French beans grown from young plants: July – August
Climbing French beans grown from young plants: July – August
Runner beans grown from young plants: July – September
Site and Soil
Beans are happy in most soil types, but they do require it to be well dug. Their roots don’t like compacted soil, so before plants make sure the soil is loose to a depth of around 30cm.
Position beans in a sunny but sheltered spot, if possible. Because of their height, they can suffer from damage in very windy areas.
Provide canes or a combination of canes and Pea & Bean Netting for the beans to grow up (not necessary for dwarf varieties).
How to Grow Beans from Seeds
Sowing
Beans can be sown directly outside or, if you’d prefer to start harvesting slightly earlier, you can start them off indoors and then plant them out in May.
To sow indoors, sow two seeds per 9cm pot or Rootrainer in April. Seeds should be sown 5cm deep. Leave to germinate on a windowsill, propagator or in a greenhouse and plant out into growing position once the roots fill the pot.
When planting outside, position the bean plants 15cm apart, making sure that a wigwam or climbing structure is in place for them to grow up.
Seeds can be sown directly outside at spacings of 15cm and a depth of 5cm from April in warm areas. Beans can be sown in rows (for criss-cross growing frame, or circles for wigwam growing frames).
Grow Beans from Young Plants
Planting
Your young plants will arrive in May, just as they’re ready to be planted out in your garden or allotment. They should be planted 15cmapart with growing supports, such as canes, positioned next to each one. Water-in after planting.
Further Growing Information for Peas
Growing
Tall varieties require some support. Canes should be pushed into the ground at next to each plant. Use Pea & Bean Net between canes for extra support.
For best results, feed established plants with a good multipurpose feed, such as Bio-Gro Black Gold seaweed fertiliser.
Once the plants reach 1.2m tall, cut off the growing tips to encourage bushier growth and more beans, and to prevent them from becoming too top-heavy.
Pick the pods regularly to encourage the growth of more. Young pods can be cooked and eaten whole.
Harvesting
Harvesting Runner beans and French beans is fun and easy. Pick them from the plant whenever they reach the desired size – the more you pick, the more will grow. If you have too many to eat in one go they can be frozen for use at a later date.
If Runner or French beans are left to grow a bit too big, they can be shelled and used at the ‘Flageolets’ stage.
Storing
The easiest way to store broad beans is by freezing them. This way they can be used cooked or defrosted as and when needed. Beans can also be shelled, dried and stored in air-tight jars.
Health benefits of beans
Beans are rich in vitamins C and K, so they can help keep your immune system and bones healthy. They’re also high in fibre and protein.
Bean Pests and Diseases
Runner and French beans can be susceptible from the following pests and diseases:
Slugs – Slugs are attracted to the young plants. Try Eraza Slug and Snail Killer if you find slugs to be a problem, or pre-treat the ground with Nemaslug in March to control slugs before they become a problem.
Blackbean aphid/blackfly – Young shoots are often covered with masses of black aphids. These growing tips can be snipped off and disposed. As a precaution, the rest of the plant can be treated with Plant Rescue Bug Killer.
Bean Seed Fly – Can prevent germination and attack seedlings. They’re at their worst in cold, wet soils. They can be prevented with Insect Netting until germination has taken place.
Pollen Beetle – may attack open flowers. It’s best not to control them with chemicals, but they shouldn’t cause a problem with your crop.
For Best Results
Improve plant health with Bio-Gro Plant Health Invigorator to suppress insects, pests and fungal diseases and boosts vigorous healthy growth.
You May Also Need
Protect your young broad bean plants with Insect Netting .
Use Pea & Bean Net between canes for added growing support.
Pre-dig the soil with our lightweight, dry Organic Extra Natural Farmyard Manure.
