phaseolus vulgaris
This bean produces a prolific amount of dark green pencil pods up to 15cm long, with white seeds that can be dried and used as haricot beanc. They are tender with a sweet, good flavor and quality. They are a good choice for early cropping as it does well in poor weather, but also summer heat. £1.75 per pack (app. 100 seeds)
phaseolus vulgaris
Borlotti beans have a good flavour and their red and cream speckled skin and beans make them attractive additions to the garden or allotment. They are particularly popular with children due to their colour. The beans can be left to mature so that the seeds inside can be collected, which can be used in lots of dishes (see image below).
99p per pack (app. 40 seeds)
GROW FRENCH BEANS
Preparation
Choose a sunny spot and add plenty of organic material.
Sowing
These are general sowing times and there may be slight differences between varieties.
Indoor sowing: April-May (dwarf beans can be sown a little earlier in this season with protection)
Plant in small pots filled with compost 4 cm deep and water well. Place in a greenhouse, propagator or sunny windowsill to germinate (ideally 18-25 C). Do not over water, as soggy beans can rot. When plants are 8-10cm (3-4 inches) tall harden off for 10-14 days in a cold frame or with fleece, then plant out. You can use cloches or other protection for earlier plantings. Sow at three week intervals for continual cropping
Outdoor sowing: May-mid July
Outdoor seedlings are susceptible to slugs, so you will need to protect. Plant two seeds in place, removing the smallest as they begin to grow.
Planting
Beans are damaged by frost so it is important that they are not planted outside till the last frosts have passed. You can cover them with fleece to protect them from the colder temperatures as well.
Dwarf varieties can be planted 10cm (4 in) apart, and if sown in rows 40-45cm (16-18 in) apart, which helps the plants to self support, but make sure they are well fed and watered. Climbing varieties are best grown 20-23 cm (8-9 in) apart in wigwams or rows, rows being 1m apart, and use ties to attach the plants to the supports.
Care and Harvesting
Pinch out the tips of climbing beans once they reach the top of their supports. Mulch both varieties in the summer to retain moisture in the soil. Beans will be ready for harvest between 9-13 weeks from sowing, pick the pods when they are about 10cm (4 in) long and pick regularly to encourage continual cropping. Maintain and feed the plants after cropping to get a possible late crop. You can inter-sow beans with sweet peas to add colour, fragrance and to attract pollinating insects. You can allow beans to mature on the plants and collect the seeds to dry for cooking. You will not be able to replant seeds unless you have segregated your beans to ensure there is no interbreeding.
French beans are chosen due to their smoother texture and sweeter flavour to runner beans, though runner’s generally produce more beans. They can be eaten raw (in salads etc), cooked or steamed.
Dried borlotti beans.
