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could anyone give me any info on how to grow french beans as it is the first time i have grown them i want to start them off in the pollytunnel then outdoors. i live in the northeast.
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I start mine off in the greenhouse in April in cells - one bean per cell -and plant them out in May. I grow the climbing french bean Blue Lake and also the dwarf Safari Kenyan french bean. They both taste lovely.[ -
French Beans
Hi Stevep
As Lesley says , Plant them in cells (or pots - I plant mine straight into 3 inch pots) in April. Place 1 bean in each, about 1 - 2 inches deep, water and leave them to get on with it. They should appear within 1 - 2 weeks.
Advice on planting out depends on whether you are growing a dwarf or climbing variety - well, not so much planting out as staking.
Cheers
RatRat
British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God
http://scotsburngarden.blogspot.com/
http://davethegardener.blogspot.com/Comment
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I use cells because the greenhouse is full to overflowing. Tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, marrows and squashes are the ones lucky enough to get pots
)
How far north are you?~
Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway.
~ Mary Kay AshComment
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Steve, if you mean the North East of England, you'll be fine with French beans.Originally posted by stevep
There are all sorts of varieties; green, purple podded, yellow podded, red mottled, purple striped (really!). They're all good, blue lake is a good green climbing variety, vigorous and easy.
If you have a lot of space, go for a pyramid of climbers, but if you've got less space pick out some of a dwarf variety. The yields are lower, but you'll still have them coming out of your ears.
Dig in some muck a few weeks before planting out; start them off later in April, and plant them out in May. Further South I'd be more bold, but I've known some nasty cold knocks up there in April and May. Some people insist on root trainers, but you'll get by fine with four inch pots or even the middle bits from kitchen rolls (split 'em down the side as you plant the whole thing).Comment
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Last summer we had an awful lot of rain and some of the dwarf french beans got flattened on the ground. No such trouble with the climbing ones though.
Cab the dwarf Safari Kenyan french bean always gives us a good harvest. The Blue Lake does as well.[Comment
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Climbing
I go for climbing french beans, you get more bean to the square foot than dwarf and the taste just as good. The two varieties I grow are Blauhilde and Sultana and I have done them in pots in a greenhouse, on a windowsill in toilet rolls and they have always come true. I have even planted them directly into pot outside in May/June and they have grown! I'm in the North too, will just tell you to make sure all frost is gone before they go out and watch out for high winds!!!
AndrewoBest wishes
Andrewo
Harbinger of Rhubarb talesComment
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I grew a yellow dwarf variety last year... For the life of me I can't remember the name. Had 15 plants, and more than enough French beans for the two of us, although of course we also had runner beans coming out of our ears. Still eating both from the freezer.
This year I've got a climber and also three dwarf varieties. I'll have a look to see which ones later.Comment
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We plant dwarf french beans straight into the soil in May and cover them in fleece. we've given up growing them indoors 1st as we only have limited space and there seems to be very little difference when it comes to cropping. Golddukat and delinel are our choice and both are sweet and stringless and good croppers. Nice to have a green and yellow variety too."Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple
Location....Normandy FranceComment
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I can't plant beans and peas in the ground because they go missing.[Comment
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Oh no....not the phantom legume thief??"Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple
Location....Normandy FranceComment
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i live in newcastleComment
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thanx lesleyComment
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thanx for your advice everyone carnt wait to get startedComment
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