Prepare soil thoroughly, digging in plenty of well-rotted manure, compost or leaf-mould to improve moisture retention and fertility.
A trench prepared the previous autumn will provide a good, nutrient rich site for beans, but if you only get around to making the trench at planting time in spring, it is still worth while.
Sowing Seed Sow outdoors mid-spring to early summer 5cm (2in) deep and 15cm (6in) apart. Don't sow into wet cold soil. Horticultural fleece and cloche can be used to dry and warm soil for planting, getting a little ahead on Mother Nature.
Sow indoors to get a head start on spring and in cold districts, early to mid-spring in pots, plant out after last frosts.
Timing Sow outdoors mid-spring to early summer.
Beans are not hardy and require temperatures of around 13oC (oF).
To avoid them coming ripe at once, sow seeds successionally resulting in a smaller crop at any one time but longer period of supply.
Care Final planting distance 30cm (12in) apart, thin as necessary. Covering with a cloche or horticultural fleece will keep lat4-sown plants cropping longer.
Propping foliage up with twigs will help to keep it clear of slugs and snails.
Keep the ground weeded and water well, mulching dry soils to conserve water, once the flowers have set.
Kids Stuff Growing beans and making a beanhouse is a great summer activity for Kids.
Beans in Small Spaces Dwarf french beans can be planted in a container and grown successfully.
Climbing beans can be grown against a warm, sunny wall, many have attractive flowers as well as colourful pods. Water well, beans need a cool, moisture retentive soil and plenty of water for the pods to fill.
More Vegetable Gardening
Butter Beans Butter Beans need a warm climate.
Site and Soil A sunny site with deep, rich soil with plenty of organic matter.
Sowing Seed Set 2.5m poles in the ground in a wigwam or row. Sow six seeds per pole 2.5cm (1in) deep, 10cm (4in) apart and later thin to the three strongest plants. Rows should be 60cm (2ft) apart.
Timing Sow outside late spring when the soil temperature reaches 18oC (65oF).
Sow inside in pots at 21oC (70oF) for rapid germination.
Care Mulch with well-rotted compost to conserve moisture.
Harvesting Harvest regularly to encourage the formation of new pods.
Sowing beans into a container for later transplanting
Broad Beans Broad beans are the earliest to crop. Only the seeds are eaten although immature pods can be cooked.
Site Broad Beans prefer a sunny position protected from winter winds. Most garden soils that are reasonably fertile are suitable.
Timing For early harvest in mild areas, sow outside late autumn or early winter in double rows 30cm (12in) apart and 5cm (2in) deep, 10cm (4in) between plants.
In other areas sow under cloches midwinter in most areas. Main sowing in the garden is in early spring. In deep beds sow in staggered rows 15cm (6n) apart.
Care Remove cloches when the plants touch the tops.
Support plants (although dwarf varieties may not need support) with pea-sticks at regular intervals along the row and a string between the posts on both sides of the row of plants. Tie the strings together occasionally to prevent it collapsing outwards.
Water regularly, and mulch with compost to improve water retention.
Harvesting Pull beans when the pods begin to swell and before they become leathery.
In warm climates plants can be cut back for a second crop.
You can dry the beans in the sun and store in jars or bottles.
Dwarf french beans can be planted in a container and grown successfully.
Broad beans are the earliest to crop. Only the seeds are eaten although immature pods can be cooked.