We love growing French beans, as we find them much more useful in the kitchen compared to Runner Beans. They produce lots of tasty pods and are easy to manage. May is the ideal month to sow them, as the soil is warming up and the risk of frost is starting to pass.
Where To Sow?
I sow all of my French Beans in the greenhouse in large modules and then transplant them outside later. I try to start as many seeds as possible this way, as I have found I have a lot more success when I do. This is because young seedlings out in the garden are very susceptible to pests like slugs, but in the greenhouse, I can protect them more and then plant out big, healthy plants that can shrug off a few slug nibbles.
Top Tip
Use a large module for French Beans. They germinate as already large plants and grow quickly, so planting them in something too small will result in the need for transplanting almost immediately!
Step 1
Soak Your Beans. To aid in speedy germination, soak your beans in water for 1 to 2 hours before planting.
Step 2
Fill your module tray with compost, I use multi-purpose as these large plants will be hungry soon! This is a large 50-cell tray with each module being 1.6" x 2.27" deep. 4cm x 5.7cm. The photo is intended to illustrate the size of the modules.
Step 3
Plant one seed per module, push them just below the surface (roughly 1cm) of the compost.
Step 4
Scrape some compost over to cover and water well. I have my seed modules in trays and I water from the bottom just so I don't risk washing the seeds away. Not a massive problem with larger seeds like beans, but it's what I do for everything.
To illustrate how large French beans germinate. These are only a few days old but are already well-established plants. This is why you don't want to start them in small modules, and also why you shouldn't start them too early in the year.
Planting Out
Start by choosing a sunny and sheltered spot. French beans like warmth and do best in well-drained soil. Avoid windy areas if you can or grow dwarf varieties if this isn't possible. Dig the ground over and remove any weeds. Add some compost or well-rotted manure to improve the soil and help your beans grow strong.
French beans need support as they grow. Use canes, netting, or a wigwam structure. Tie the plants gently to the supports as they get taller. They will climb quickly once they get going.
Water regularly, especially in dry weather. Beans need plenty of water when they are flowering and setting pods. Mulching around the base of the plants can help keep moisture in the soil.
Watch out for slugs and snails, especially when the plants are young. You can use barriers, traps, or pellets if needed. Check under leaves for aphids and remove any you see.
French beans are usually ready to harvest about two months after sowing. Pick the pods when they are young and tender. Keep picking regularly to encourage more pods to grow.
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