Traditionally beans were grown on tall canes, which took up a lot of space. The beans that are more commonly grown these days are what they call dwarf beans (or bush varieties), and they only grow a metre high.
How to grow beans
Kevin Parker, a senior horticulturist at The Greenery Garden and Home, says, “Like all veggies, they are sun-loving plants. They can be great in pots for people who don’t have a veggie garden.”
The secret to better tasting beans
He adds: “The trick with growing beans is to harvest regularly as the bean becomes ready. That encourages more beans to grow. If you leave the beans on the plant too long, it takes a lot of energy out of it,” he says.
“If you want a sweeter, better-tasting bean, you can pick them when they are not fully developed.”
How to care for beans
Aspect
Beans like a lot of sun.
Climate
Zone 1: October – December
Zone 2: September – February
Zone 3: August -April
Zone 4: Any time
Get the key to climate zones here.
Soil
Beans don’t need rich soil in the veggie garden but make sure it’s well-draining.
Water
Beans don’t like to be overwatered. As a rough guide, you could water twice a week after planting, once or twice a week while flowering and once a week once mature. However, keeping an eye on the soil and water as needed is best.
Pests
Snails and slugs can be a problem with beans. Here’s how to deal with snails and slugs after rain.
Fertiliser
Beans are part of the legume family, producing nitrogen naturally, so they don’t need a lot of fertiliser. A week before planting your seeds in the garden, you can apply some compost to the soil. Here’s how to make your own fertiliser.
How long do beans take to grow?
They don’t need too much attention, and you should start seeing the fruits of your labour 8-10 weeks after planting.
How to grow beans in pots
Beans can be grown in pots. Choose a pot at least 30 cm wide with lots of drainage at the bottom. Use a good-quality potting mix and sew your seeds about 25mm deep. Make sure your pot is in a sunny position with lots of air circulation. Give your beans an initial water and water as needed. Your seeds should germinate in around 7-10 days.
If you’re growing dwarf beans, you won’t need a trellis. However, if you are growing climbing beans, you will need something to support them as they grow.
Companion plants for beans
- corn
- marigold
How to propagate beans
It is possible to propagate your beans. Here’s how.
- While it’s encouraged to pick your beans while they are fresh, if you want to propagate your plants, leave a few pods on the plant to dry out.
- Once they are dry, open the pods and place the seeds on a paper towel in a dry, sunny place for two weeks.
- Pop them in an envelope ready for planting to keep for when you are ready to plant your seeds.
You might also like:
How to grow a vegetable garden
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