Growing Beans - dwarf, also French beans, Bush beans

Phaseolus vulgaris : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P                 P P P

(Best months for growing Beans - dwarf in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 16°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 5 - 15 cm apart
  • Harvest in 7-10 weeks. Pick often to encourage more flower production.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, spinach, lettuce, summer savory, dill, carrots, brassicas, beets, radish, strawberry and cucumbers, tagates minuta (wild marigold)
  • Avoid growing close to: Alliums (Chives, leek, garlic, onions) Sunflower

Your comments and tips

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08 Feb 13, G Naidoo (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
What can you plant to keep snails away now
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15 Jun 13, Lesley (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I keep all my egg shells - dry them out in the oven and then crush and scatter them around the plants. (all plants) to keep the snails at bay. This Summer I forgot to do this and the snail invasion was horrendous! I don't know of any plants that would acheive this. Good luck!
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15 Oct 18, Tessa (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Lemongrass has silicone intheir leaves- nasty papercuts! So I chop n drop them when I thin them out :)
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07 Apr 14, Graham Pearl (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Tobacco Dust and Coffee... A simple Google search will let you know more.
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01 Mar 12, PJ (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Young dwarf beans have 2 major enemies - birds & snails/slugs.To stop these pests, i do the following. - place beans on a sheet of moist kitchen paper in a plastic take away food container. wrap the whole thing in a plastic bag & fold the bag end under the container. place container in a warm spot (NOT direct sun). After 5 days, transplant the now germinated seed to a pot. Use a net to deter birds & put pot on raised bench or table - keep moist. Once the plants are 10cm high, transplant to garden. Bury plant stem deep so leaves are well above soil - enjoy lots of beans as snails & birds will now leave them alone
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09 Jan 12, bob g (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes Peter, I've been doing it for years. Also, if you want to grow peas [spring crop] Buy a bag of dried peas from your supermarket - off the shelf where they keep split peas, lentils etc. Much cheaper and great crop. If you have problems with powdery mildew, spray with a mixture of one part full cream milk to twelve parts water.
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08 Jan 12, Peter F (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you use dried dwarf beans for replanting.
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05 Jan 14, Mullyguts (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes, but they must be fully mature. Normal eating quality beans will not germinate.
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07 Dec 11, sali (Australia - temperate climate)
yes i grew my plant and just in tow weeks it was like 20cm
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23 Oct 11, Kelly (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi! I recently sowed some dwarf bean seeds and they have sprouted. They are now about 20cm high but I've noticed today some curling of the leaves on 2 of the plants. I'm hoping someone can tell me what the problem is so I can fix it quickly Thanks
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Will my dwarf bean seeds have beans to harvest if they are covered in a raised garden?? Are they self pollinating?

- Val

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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