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 61°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 2 - 6 inches 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

20 Mar 10, monique (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
my beans are really hard what is wrong with them and they are a bit brown
16 Feb 10, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Rikkyurk, Water the ground well before sowing the beans, then you can leave them for a few days to germinate. But if the weather is very hot and dry, it might help to water after a day. Have you tried a different variety? Some seem easier than others.
13 Feb 10, Rikkyurk (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have tried growing from seed twice and only one from 40 seemed to germinate. I am sowing in rows 1.5 - 2cm deep. As directed on the packet I didn't water for 3 days after sowing. They were a fresh packet of seed too. Any tips?
01 Oct 10, Monty (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A tip I saw on a TV show for getting beans and peas to germitate suggested soaking the seeds overnight in water with a pinch of epsom salts. The magnesium is supposed to activate an enzyme in the seed which triggers sprouting. I have done this once with dwarf beans and once with braod beans and have got 100% (8 out of 8) germination both times.
11 Feb 10, Hellbelle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My bean plants were growing really well, but now the leaves seem to be dying off just as they're starting to flower. The ends are going brown - they look like they're burnt but i'm sooo careful when i water to make sure the leaves stay dry....any tips???
26 Jan 10, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Jim, snails will eat all the leaves off a bean plant overnight. Various bugs and grubs will eat into the beans themselves. Have you checked the plants at night with a torch to catch what is eating them?
19 Jan 10, Tam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
JIM- slaters and earwigs.........is the leaf left like lacework ?
18 Jan 10, jim (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
my beans are getting eaten by something i have no idea what can someone please tell wahat it is eating them?
27 Oct 09, Liz (sent in by David) (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Dani, check www.hbci.com/~wenonah/min-def/beans.htm for mineral deficiencies. Are you using compost or chicken manure which hasn't completely matured? That can cause nitrogen deficiency and yellow leaves.
24 Oct 09, dani (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
why are my bean plants going yellow?
Showing 141 - 150 of 156 comments

Yes, but they must be fully mature. Normal eating quality beans will not germinate.

- Mullyguts

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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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