Planting Beans: Instructions for Growing Beans

Beans are a reliable source of many nutrients. We'll show you how you can plant healthy beans in your own garden.

In the garden you can Grow green beans and runner beans. The French bean is significantly smaller than the runner bean and is therefore particularly popular in small gardens. The runner bean is far more demanding than the French bean: it needs a lot of warmth, a lot of space and a good soil. On the other hand, runner beans are more productive than their little relatives.

When and how do you plant beans?

Both varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris, i.e. both French and runner beans, should only be sown when the soil has warmed up enough and no more frost is to be expected. The middle of May is usually a good time to sow. In order to be able to harvest over a longer period of time, French bean seeds can be planted at several times, for example, each time offset by 14 days. Overall, sowing is recommended until mid-June. Then there is a risk that the seedlings will dry out easily. The harvest time of runner beans is a little longer, which is why the staggered laying of the bean kernels is not absolutely necessary.

Beans like light, humus rich soil and a sunny, sheltered location. In partial shade, French beans grow even better than runner beans. Before sowing, the soil is loosened well and some compost is worked in flat. The bean seeds are sown 3 cm deep and 15 cm from the next seed in the row. There should be 40 cm of space between the rows. Often not all beans germinate, which is why two beans can always be planted next to each other to be on the safe side. If both germinate, the weaker seedling can be pulled out and, if necessary, moved or disposed of on the compost.

Good neighbors for beans are Cucumber, Cabbage, Salads and celery. Savory and Nasturtiums can protect plants. Another possibility is the cultivation in a so-called Milpa bed, along with corn and pumpkin. Leek plants like all types of onions and of course leek as garlic and peas shouldn't grow next to beans.

Tip: Beans take a long time to reach their full size. Sow a few weeks before the broad bean seeds are planted radish next to the future planting places of the beans. These use the freestanding space and can be harvested before the beans take over the entire location.

The name suggests that runner beans need a climbing aid. This can be made of wood, aluminum, wire or other materials. For the best possible yield, each plant needs its own pole. If you want to grow two rows, two poles can always be leaned against each other and tied together. These and other ways of leaning the poles against each other sometimes cast shadows on the plants and are therefore only beneficial in some gardens. So that the bean plant can develop well, the seedlings must have enough water available.

When and how do you plant beans?

• Bean seeds are usually sown or about 3 cm deep in the earth
• The time to sow is from around mid-May, when frost is no longer expected
• Protect seedlings from snails and drought (water in the morning)
• French beans are less complicated, but they have a shorter harvest period and are less productive
• Sunny to partially shaded locations, ideally sheltered from the wind, are preferred by beans
• Beans grow well alongside savory, cucumber, cabbage vegetables, salads, and celery
• They don't like leeks, garlic, onions and peas around them

Plant beans in the pot and on the balcony

Beans have a soil-improving value because like all legumes they fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil. Actually, it is not the beans that do this, but so-called nodule bacteria that live in symbiosis with the beans. These bacteria get sugar from the beans and provide nitrogen in return. If the roots and the plant matter remain on the bed after the bean harvest, this ensures nitrogen accumulation in the soil after they have decomposed. In order to take advantage of this positive effect, it is advisable for bed owners to plant beans in the bed. If you don't have a bed, you can also sow beans there if the planters are large enough. Runner beans can make good use of the vertical space on balconies and even look great.

Caring for beans: watering and fertilizing

Watering is particularly important for the seedlings. Apart from that, more developed plants are also to be protected from drought in dry periods. Unfortunately, bean sprouts are popular with Snails eaten. Watering them in the morning can help save them from snail deaths at night.

When planting, you should make sure that the soil is enriched with sufficient nutrients. In a location with poor soil, you can mature the soil before planting compost or enrich it with a fertilizer with organic long-term effects. With our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer create optimal conditions for your beans to grow right from the start. This not only has a positive and gentle effect on beans of all kinds, but also on the soil and the animals in your garden.

A detailed guide to the Fertilizing beans You will find here

Types and varieties of beans: A wide variety

When choosing the Bean type and variety it is easy to lose track of diversity in the face of diversity. Due to the growth characteristics, the varieties of the common bean, the Phaseolus vulgaris, are divided into bush and pole bean varieties. Usually their pods are greenish, but there are both French and runner beans with yellow pods. This type of bean is also called a wax bean. In addition, there are special types of broad and runner beans, of which the entire pods are not prepared and consumed as usual, but only the bean kernels are harvested. These beans stay in the bed much longer, after all, the bean seeds have to ripen completely.

Typical varieties for using the bean kernels are, for example,Borlotto‘Or 'Canadian Wonder' (these are the typical red kidney beans). To make things a little more complicated, there are also the firebeans and broad beans. Both have fleshier pods that are only eaten when harvested very young. If you wait longer, you can harvest milk-ripe bean kernels or ripe, dry bean kernels from these types of beans. Firebeans ('white giants', 'prize winners') are particularly suitable for cooler, damp locations. A large selection of green and yellow French and runner beans as well Broad bean varieties You will find here.

Harvesting beans: the right harvest time

The main harvest season for beans is in July and August. If the beans were planted later (possible until the beginning of July), they can be harvested until October. Runner beans have a slightly longer harvest time compared to French beans.

Break a bean in half: if it breaks well and you get a smooth break, the beans are likely ready to be harvested. Most of the time, the beans are not yet clearly visible on the pod at this point. The bean seeds inside the pod should not be larger than 1 cm. The younger the pods are harvested, the more tender the beans are. Of course, if you want to harvest bean kernels, you have to wait for the bean seeds to ripen (milk). More tips on Harvesting and Preserving Beans You will find here.

Store beans and preserve them

There are different ways to preserve and preserve beans. We'll introduce you to a few.

Freeze beans

The most vitamin-friendly way to preserve beans is to freeze them. Contrary to what is often claimed, beans don't necessarily need to be blanched before freezing. Beans are washed and the ends cut off before freezing. If the beans are to be used later for a stew, for example, they can also be cut into smaller pieces before freezing.

Reduce the beans

Beans, like many other vegetables, are traditionally cooked in glasses with vinegar and sugar. This type of preservation has the advantage that when the jars are opened later, ready-to-eat beans can be served, for example as an accompaniment to dinner. However, the downside to canning is that it loses vitamins and flavor.

Another way to preserve green beans for a shorter period of time is to pickle them. A recipe for Pickling beans You will find here.

Dry beans

If you want to harvest grain beans (the 'Borlotti' and 'Canadian Wonder' varieties are well suited for this), should allow the beans to fully ripen and dry for as long as possible in dry weather permit. To make sure that the beans are completely dry and have a good shelf life, they are cooked after the Harvest for at least two more weeks in a dry place (for example on newspaper) spread out. Cans or glasses are best for storage.

Are you having problems with aphids on your beans? Especially those Black bean louse can often be found on plants. We'll show you how to successfully fight the pest.