Easy-to-grow green beans with a rich harvest of crunchy pods, ideal for boiling, steaming or stir-frying, adding flavour and colour to a variety of dishes.
Green beans are legumes that are eaten whole, when still young and unripe. They belong to the Phaseolus vulgaris.
Bush beans grow as small, bushy plants that stay low to the ground and don't require support. Pole beans are climbing plants that grow upward and require support, such as stakes or mesh.
Only sow green beans after the Ice Saints (around May 15), when there is no longer a risk of night frost and the soil temperature is at least 12°C. You can sow until about mid-July.
Sow the seeds about 2 to 5 cm deep, depending on the size of the seed.
Do not pre-sow in a greenhouse. It is better to sow green beans directly in the open ground, as they do not tolerate transplanting well.
Germination times vary, but the seeds usually germinate within 7 to 10 days at a soil temperature of 21°C.
When sowing, maintain a distance of about 5 to 10 cm between the seeds. For pole beans, plant a few seeds per pole.
In general, green beans do not need much additional fertilizer, because they fix nitrogen from the air and release it into the soil.
Green beans are ready to harvest when the pods reach the desired length and thickness. Harvest them regularly and when they're young, as that's when they're at their best.
