Garden Vegetable - Bean, Pole

Botanical Information

Starting

Notes:

Requires a warm sunny location in a rich well-drained, preferably light, soil with plenty of moisture during the growing season. Does not do well heavy, wet or acid soils. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 6.5.
The French bean is commonly cultivated in many parts of the world for its edible seeds and immature seedpods. There are many named varieties. Plants are not frost-tolerant, air temperatures below 50°F can cause damage to seedlings. When grown for their edible pods, the immature pods should be harvested regularly in order to promote extra flower production and higher yields. French beans grow well with strawberries, carrots, cauliflowers, cucumbers, cabbage, beets, leeks and celeriac. They are inhibited by alliums and fennel growing nearby. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the above-ground parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in mid spring in a greenhouse. Germination should take place within 10 days.