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
      S S S S          
      T T T T T        
      P P P P          

(Best months for growing Beans - dwarf in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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

24 Oct 19, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
I usually have no problems growing dwarf beans. However this year I am having all sorts of problems. The seeds come up but look anemic. Yellow some hole and eventually die. I have fertilized, sprayed. Perhaps it's something in the soil. Any guidance most appreciated.
27 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a virus called tomato yellow leaf curl virus in my tomatoes. I read the other day it effects other crops, beans included. In tomatoes it is carried by silver leaf white fly. It stunts the plant and the leaves are small, curled and yellow. Could be that.
04 Feb 19, Srini (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Does Dwarf French beans die after 1 harvest. The plants had an excellent produce and seem to start dying (with yellowing leaves) after the first harvest.
05 Feb 19, mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Could be lack of water fertiliser and even end of growing season. I'm sub tropical and don't know temperate. You still have very hot days in summer - I don't grow in summer. Don't let the beans become too old before picking. I generally had 3 pickings in the spring.
13 Feb 18, Teresa Manwaring (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi nice to be on board , could you tell me if to late to put in some more snake beans , thank you Regards Teresa .
16 Feb 18, Darren (Australia - arid climate)
If you click on the "Planting now" tab at the top, it will show you what can be planted for your chosen climate each month. For sub-tropical, you can plant both dwarf and climbing beans.
19 Nov 17, nathan ayienda (Australia - temperate climate)
I need samantha french bean seeds from usa
20 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You probably can't import seeds from overseas for disease reasons.
22 Nov 17, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
It seems you can in fact import Phaseolus spp. (excluding P. trilobus) — Grown in the United States of America — Certified seed sourced from California, Idaho or Washington into Australia. You must complete an application for Seeds for sowing. You can find import conditions for all types of things using the BICON database located here https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/BiconWeb4.0/ Good luck :)
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.
Showing 21 - 30 of 107 comments

Can you grow Snow Peas next to Bush Beans?

- Garry Searle

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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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