Phaseolus vulgaris
HEIGHT x WIDTH: 50cm x 50cm.
DISTANCE APART: 50cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: Harvest the beans when they are still young because this is when they are sweetest. Simply pick the beans off with your fingers.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day unless it rains.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes, dwarf beans are great in large tubs or barrels that are at least 40cm deep. Fill the pot with premium potting mix and then make a climbing frame out of bamboo stakes tied at the top like a teepee. Plant a seedling at the base of each stake. Water the seedlings after they have been planted. Make sure that the container gets plenty of sunlight. from all directions.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes. The garden bed must get at least 6 hours of sun every day. Mix lots of compost or animal manure into the soil, plant the seedlings and water lightly. Make a climbing frame out of bamboo stakes tied like teepees or use garden wire. Spread some mulch such as pea straw or lucerne hay over the soil.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: Beans have lots of best buddies including corn, cucumbers, strawberries, onion and celery.
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- More beans will grow if side dressings of nitrogen fertiliser or liquid fertiliser are applied just when the flowers begin to form.
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.