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

19 May 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have the same problem - plant March April and they grow really good then the stem is eaten and they fall over shrivel up and die. I have read to put Boron in the soil. I also read to grow them in the spring. I also read to put toilet roll cardboard centers over the plant into the soil to stop snails etc. When I first moved into this house 18 years ago in late September I planted beans and had a fantastic crop. I'm waiting until late winter to plant and I'm putting some trace elements in my soil - contains some boron. Will see how that goes.
01 Sep 16, Tiny (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi, can dwarf beans grow in the the shade?
01 Oct 16, May (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
The bean plants themselves should survive in light shade, but they probably won't produce much without enough sunlight.
26 Jul 16, Lyn Morton (Australia - tropical climate)
My dwarf beans plant a month ago in soil bought from Bunnings have weak stems and the leaves are yellowing. Please help.
09 Aug 16, Ann-Marie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
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.
13 Apr 16, George Turner (USA - Zone 5a climate)
I am interested in planting dwarf bush beans in aquaponic beds in a green house. They need to be self pollinating and prunable to maximize production in as small an area as possible.
19 Mar 16, peggy (Australia - temperate climate)
my friend bought and planted dwarf beans. They flourished, looked good, but all the developing beans have fallen off. Why.
19 Jul 16, Andy (Australia - temperate climate)
Beans (and peas for that matter) have a habit of dropping immature pods if watering is inconsistent or inadequate. Thicker mulch layer with help retain soil moisture
07 Nov 15, John McKean (Australia - temperate climate)
My bush beans are struggling this year. They are in a raised bed 10m long. Half is broad beans and half is bush beans. The broad beans are flourishing but the bush beans are struggling to get out of the ground. About half didn't germinate and the leaves on many have been chewed by something. I have planted new seeds in the locations where the first planting didn't take. Many other vegies in my vegie garden are doing very well. Any tips?
27 Sep 15, AJ (Australia - temperate climate)
if you are in a temperate climate May will always produce brown leaves and beans plant beans in October we only get one crop in our climate, I will plant mine on the 1st quarter of the moon in October I only get one crop over summer and this is the time I plant and get bumper crop fingers crossed :), blanch and freeze for winter. AJ
Showing 71 - 80 of 156 comments

I don't stake my beans. But I do put stakes at the end of each row and run some string along both sides of the row so it can hold up the branches. So they are leaning over the string. It keeps them off the groung and stops them from getting to tangled.

- Colby

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