How to grow French beans

A huge range of varieties, both dwarf and climbing, are readily available as seed in garden centres and from online retailers. If you don’t have the time or space to grow from seed, young plants can also be bought from garden centres and online suppliers in spring and early summer, ready for planting outside. However, the choice of varieties may be fairly limited.

For an early crop, sow indoors from late April onwards. Sowing indoors usually produces better

Germination is the process by which a seed develops into a new plant. It starts with the seed coat absorbing water, expanding and splitting, which allows oxygen and water into the seed so its food reserves can be broken down and used by the embryo for growth. The first root (called the radicle) pushes into the soil to anchor the new plant in place and start absorbing water and nutrients. The first shoot (called the plumule) then grows upwards, out of the soil, towards the light.

Small individual cells, usually in a tray, used for sowing seeds. The resulting seedlings can be transplanted with minimal root disturbance.

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A propagator is a portable, lightweight structure usually plastic, with a vented or unvented lid to provide a humid, slightly warmer atmosphere. It is useful to help seeds germinate and root cuttings. It may have adjustable, thermostatic temperature control.

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French bean

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed.

French beans can be sown outdoors once all risk of frost has passed and the soil is warming up – usually in late May or early June, depending on your local climate. Before sowing, prepare the site carefully and put supports in place for climbing varieties – see Preparing the Ground, above. Warming the soil with plastic-free fleece or cloches for a few weeks before sowing can aid germination, and if left in place, they’ll also give the

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed.

Dwarf beans – sow 5cm (2in) deep and 15cm (6in) apart in blocks or double rows, so plants support each other. Sow a few extra at the end of the rows to fill any gaps if some don’t germinate. Make several sowings from late spring to mid-summer to provide harvests over a longer period. Also consider sowing through plastic-free weed-suppressing membrane to reduce the need for weeding and prevent the pods being damaged by contact with the soil.

You can sow French beans in late spring/early summer, either in small pots outdoors for transplanting into the ground later, or into large containers as their final growing site. Use peat-free multi-purpose compost.

Small pots – sow one bean per small pot, 5cm (2in) deep, then place in a coldframe or a warm, sheltered position, protected with plastic-free fleece or cloches. Once the plants reach 8cm (3in) tall and all risk of frost has passed, plant out into their final positions (see Planting, below).

Large pots – both dwarf and climbing beans can be grown in large containers in a sunny, sheltered spot, making attractive and productive additions to patios and small gardens. For dwarf beans, choose a pot 30–45cm (12–18in) wide and sow the seeds 5cm (2in) deep and 15cm (6in) apart – no supports are needed, as these look great cascading over the sides. For climbing varieties, choose a container at least 75cm (30in) wide, 45cm (18in) deep, and heavy enough to keep it from toppling over once the beans are growing up their supports. Insert a wigwam of 2.5m (8ft) canes (see Putting up supports, above), then sow two seeds 5cm (2in) deep at the base of each cane, to allow for losses. Thin out the

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed.

Beans are thirsty plants, so water them during dry weather, especially once they start to flower and form pods. Regular watering is particularly important for plants growing in containers, which dry out quickly. Try to keep the growing site weed-free to avoid competition for water. For water-saving tips, see our guides below.

Spread a

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

French beans don’t need feeding when growing in the ground. However, in containers, feed every fortnight with a high potassium liquid fertiliser, such as tomato feed, once the first flowers appear.