Grow your own French Beans from Seeds
French Beans are a popular choice in allotments and vegetable gardens because there are many varieties to choose from which grow in all kinds of unique shapes, colours and sizes. They are a great plot to plate vegetables to grow and are stunning standalone plants.
Try something different with Dobies French Bean varieties, like the ‘Goldengate’ or the ‘Blauhilde’ for yellow and purple colours. Besides the more traditional choice like ‘Cobra’, the Italian speciality ‘Borlotto Firetongue’ has a red mottled skin which will be a knockout staple on the plot.
No matter the size of your outdoor space or vegetable garden, many of our varieties can be grown in containers and window boxes too.
How to grow French Beans plants from seed
- There are a few ways to get your Bean seeds started. Sow directly in Spring or for a really strong plant, start them in a propagator or in glasshouse conditions. Every type of bean doesn't like having their roots disturbed so sow in root trainer modules. These can be opened and planted out with minimal disturbance
- If sowing directly into soil or planting out pre-germinated French Beans some preparation will help with your success. A decent rich free draining will be loved by Beans. Add plenty of Organic matter or rotted manure and thoroughly fork
- French Beans will like to have moisture around their root. Water deeply in early morning to get maximum benefit to the Beans
- A good Organic mulch and some slow-release organic fertiliser should be applied when the plants start to put on growth
- To keep those Bean pods coming, collect as they appear, grazing the plant from July until the first frosts.
When to plant French Beans?
Your bean seeds need to be sown outdoors between April and June and take just 12 weeks to reach maturity! If desired they can be grown under glass between March and April ready for transplanting outdoors.
French Bean Growing Tips
- Plant them nice and densely, they won’t mind being close together and this will shade out the weeds.
- Make sure you provide a framework for any climbing french bean varieties you grow.
- Look out for Blackfly, especially when plants are young, blast them off with water or if a bad infestation spray organic deterrent.
- When it comes to the end of the season, dig in the Beans in situ as they provide Nitrogen to the soil as well as contributing to good soil structure
- French Beans are good for freezing so if you have a successful crop you can be enjoying them right into the winter.
Buy French Bean Seeds online from Dobies!
