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

22 Oct 20, Michael (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Many thanks
25 Apr 20, Nameer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My French dwarf bean seedlings have light green to yellow coloured leaves, I thought they were looking anaemic, now theyve developed grey brown spots in all the leaves. They're in potting mix, I recently sprayed them with iron chelate, they get about 5 hours good sun daily. Any suggestions welcome thanks.
27 Apr 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live sub tropical Bundaberg and I find that the bean fly hits beans in the autumn, so I grow mine in the spring. I'm on the look out to find out what to put in the soil or on the plants to stop the bean fly.
06 Jan 21, Dan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have you tried making and applying garlic spray yet? Ive heard it works well to deter all chewing/sucking insects (and powdery mildew!). I would think it might also deter pollinators though, but this wouldn't be a direct problem for beans as I understand they self pollinate as the flowers open.
21 Apr 20, Paul Tooley (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
we live next to sea in Auckland with no frost-will sprouted dwarf beans grow through May
22 Apr 20, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Go to the bean page and read when to plant beans in sub-tropical New Zealand. That is the main purpose of this web site, to find out when to plant and how to grow things.
11 Apr 20, Jo Rosen (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi does the frost kill dwarf beans. Wild ones are sprouting everywhere so transplanting. Am I wasting my time
12 Apr 20, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Yes, frost will kill your bean plants. If they are still producing beans, you could leave them until they die off then dig them in to help improve the soil.
24 Oct 19, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
I usually have no problems growing dwarf beans. However this year I am having all sorts of problems. The seeds come up but look anemic. Yellow some hole and eventually die. I have fertilized, sprayed. Perhaps it's something in the soil. Any guidance most appreciated.
27 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a virus called tomato yellow leaf curl virus in my tomatoes. I read the other day it effects other crops, beans included. In tomatoes it is carried by silver leaf white fly. It stunts the plant and the leaves are small, curled and yellow. Could be that.
Showing 31 - 40 of 156 comments

Water with seaweed solution this week, next week gogo juice and continue for a few weeks. I would apply one or two applications of liquid calcium to the seedlings and soil also.

- Ann-Marie

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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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