Growing Beans - dwarf, also French beans, Bush beans

Phaseolus vulgaris : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        P P            

(Best months for growing Beans - dwarf in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 61°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 2 - 6 inches apart
  • Harvest in 7-10 weeks. Pick often to encourage more flower production.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, spinach, lettuce, summer savory, dill, carrots, brassicas, beets, radish, strawberry and cucumbers, tagates minuta (wild marigold)
  • Avoid growing close to: Alliums (Chives, leek, garlic, onions) Sunflower

Your comments and tips

19 Oct 17, Robyn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi there, I'm not sure if this answer helps but I have not long come back from spending the summer in Indianapolis with a friend. We canned ( bottled) lots of veges, she had three large pickings of her dwarf beans..and she had her sunflowers growing close to them.
08 Oct 17, Geoff Kachel (Australia - tropical climate)
I have planted three separate varieties of dwarf beans in the past month with zero success. I've been told this is the wrong time of year for these plants, but I'm curious, wouldn't the seeds still strike? Everything else I've planted is growing really well, yet the beans won't even come out of the ground.
03 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Beans can be a little tricky to grow. When you go to plant the seeds wet the soil the day before. Then plant the seeds and don't water again for 3-4 days. Be careful with the watering until they germinate - hot and too wet will rot the seeds.
30 Oct 17, Ben (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I sowed the seeds back in August and they just started sprouting two weeks ago.
08 Oct 17, Liz (Australia - tropical climate)
Check the information here www.gardenate.com/plant/Beans%20-%20dwarf?zone=4
18 Oct 17, Geoff (Australia - tropical climate)
I was going by the planting guide on the back of the seed packet, which, north of approx Qld/NSW border, said planting all year round. That doesn't seem to be the case, I tried too many varieties of seed in separate beds on a number of different times. Would shadecloth make a difference, or just leave it to next year?
09 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It says last planting in July in Tropics. A few plants are a bit iffy to plant now. Over watering and heat and the seeds will just rot in the soil. Did a few up and see if they are rotten. Maybe try starting in shade. Sometimes it is a bit trial and error.
13 Aug 17, geoffrey (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
can I grow dwarf runner beans in pots and leave in my green house through out the growing season
13 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
On this web page go to the top of the page on the leftish side and click "Set my climate zone" -select UK etc. Then click Vegetables above that. Read up about how to grow them. In the end it is have a go and see how it works out.
06 Apr 17, carol o'shea (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have done several plantings of dwarf beans this past summer - green, yellow and purple varieties. The returns have been poor to say the least - perhaps 6 beans per plant if I am lucky. What am I doing wrong, if anything? It has been my first season of gardening in Tauranga and I'm told the weather has been somewhat abnormal but even so I would expect better than this. They have been grown both in the open ground, in varying situations and in planter troughs, also in differing locations, i.e. facing in different directions. Any help would be appreciated.
Showing 51 - 60 of 156 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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