When should I sow French beans in the UK?

Indoors in modules from late April for an earlier crop; direct outdoors from late May once soil is warm. Don't sow direct before mid-May — French bean seed rots in cold wet soil. Successional sowings every 3 weeks until early July give continuous picking from late July through to October.

What's the difference between French beans and runner beans?

Different species. French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): self-pollinating; sets in cool weather; eaten as whole pods or shelled beans; both bush and climbing forms. Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus): bee-pollinated; flowers drop in heat without pollinators; classic UK climbing bean. French beans are more reliable in poor summers; runner beans give bigger pods. Grow both for variety and security.

Bush or climbing French beans?

Bush for small gardens, containers, and where you can't stake. Crop in flushes — pick over 3–4 weeks then declines. Climbing for bigger yields per square metre, longer picking season (6+ weeks), and where you have space for a 2.5 m wigwam. Climbing varieties also give better flavour (longer in the pod).

How do I get a continuous supply of French beans?

Successional sowings every 3 weeks from late April (indoors) through early July (direct). Each sowing crops for 3–4 weeks. Pick every 2–3 days at the peak — picking maintains flowering; pods left to bulge shut it down. A single climbing-type sowing crops for 6+ weeks of continuous picking.

Why are my French bean flowers dropping without setting?

Most likely hot dry weather (above 27°C) — the flowers drop before they pollinate. Water deeply; mulch heavily; mist plants in the cool of the morning. Less commonly, very cold weather (below 10°C nights) checks growth. French beans are self-pollinating so unlike runner beans they don't need bumblebees, but they still need the right conditions.

Can I save French bean seed?

Yes — let some pods mature fully on the plant in late summer. When the pods turn brown and the beans inside rattle when shaken, pick the pods; dry on a tray for a week; shell out the beans; store in a paper envelope. French beans come true from seed (open-pollinated cultivars). Each pod has 6–10 beans — a single plant yields plenty for next year's sowing.

Judía verde

Phaseolus vulgaris

Sow French bean seed direct from late May after the last frost; indoors in modules from late April for an earlier crop. French beans are frost-tender annuals (RHS H1c) and self-pollinating so reliable in cooler UK summers when runner beans fail to set. Two types: bush (45–60 cm, no support needed) and climbing (2 m+, wigwam or cane required). Plant 15 cm apart for bush forms; one plant per cane for climbers. Pick young pods (15–18 cm) before the beans inside swell — pods left on the plant shut down further flowering. Bush varieties: Tendergreen (reliable), Cosse Violette (purple), The Prince (heritage). Climbing: Cobra (the standard), Blue Lake, Hunter. A single climbing plant gives 6+ weeks of picking from late July to October.

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