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

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13 Aug 21, Garry Searle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can you grow Snow Peas next to Bush Beans?
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29 Aug 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
Put the snow peas on the south side of dwarf beans.
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26 Jan 21, Steve Green (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi, can dwarf runner beans be over-watered please? Mine were great, then the leaves looked a wee bit brown so my Mom watered them and this morning they look like they're dying, the leaves have curled and they re wilting.
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27 Jan 21, Anonymous (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
If you have heavy clay soil you could over water. Could be wilt.
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11 Dec 20, Will (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Does anyone know where I ca buy ESPADA dwarf bean seed. Would greatly appreciate your assistance. Will South Africa
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15 Dec 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I did a bit of googling and can't find anything about Espada beans.
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02 Dec 20, Mat B (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hello, My dwarf beans are flowering and healthy, however they've mostly fallen over... how should I keep these growing up? Thanks.
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03 Dec 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
When growing dwarf beans it is best to hill the soil up around the stem when they are half grown, this helps support the stems/plants. Have someone help you to hold the plant steady while you hill the soil up around them now. Do it asap.
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20 Oct 20, Michael Hollis (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My beans have got a dry and curly leaf on lower branches. My soil is very good but maybe too well drained. Any advice please
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21 Oct 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dying leaf could be just old leaves or some disease. Curly leaf could be a disease or dry weather. A plant will protect itself in the heat of the day or hot weather by exposing less leaf to the sun. Put some mulch on the top of the soil to keep more moisture in the soil. In the future look at adding something to your soil to slow down the water draining through the soil so quickly.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 156 comments
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No need to trellis but what you do is hill the soil up around the stem when they are half grown to support the plant. As much sun as you can within reason. Keep picking and you will get 3-4 flushes of beans over 2-3 weeks, as they won't mature all at the same time.

- Anonymous

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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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