Where space is tight and when pod set in runner beans has been a problem, it's well worth growing French beans; generally they're easier to grow than runners - and they taste great too.
There are two main types - dwarf bush and climbing.
Some cultivars produce coloured pods, which makes them useful in the ornamental garden. Good choices include 'Kingston Gold' (yellow) and 'Purple Teepee' (dark purple).
The main sowing period is May and June; sow in April under cloches or similar for an earlier crop; sow in early July to extend the season into September/October.
Sow seeds 5cm (2in) deep 10cm (4in) apart in rows 45cm (18in) apart.
Sow a few extra at the end of the rows to fill in any gaps from seeds that don’t germinate.
The bush types may not need supporting, but short twigs can be used to support the plants to help keep the beans off the soil. Climbing cultivars will need bamboo canes, twiggy sticks or netting to scramble up.
Water well during periods of prolonged dry weather. Mulch around the plants in June to help conserve soil moisture.
Begin picking the pods when they are 10cm (4in) long. Pods are ready when they snap easily and before the beans can be seen through the pod. By picking regularly you can crop plants for several weeks.
Once all the pods have been harvested, water the plants well and feed with a liquid fertiliser. This way you may get a further cropping of smaller, yet worthwhile pods.
