French beans reward almost no effort with one of the steadiest harvests in the vegetable garden.
French beans are a compact, easy alternative to runner beans, suited to both open ground and containers. Dwarf varieties need no support at all, while climbing types crop for longer against a cane wigwam.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | Sow in May | Sow in June | ||||||||||
| Harvest | Harvest in July | Harvest in August | Harvest in September |
Care details
- Sow May – June
Sow direct once soil is warm, or start under cover.
- Harvest July – September
Pick regularly to keep plants producing.
Growing tips & common problems
- Dwarf varieties need no support; climbing types crop for longer against a wigwam.
- Pick every couple of days once cropping starts — pods left to mature signal the plant to stop.
- Sow a second batch four weeks after the first for a longer harvest window.
Grows well with
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