Beans

More about Beans

Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus coccineus
Beans with the exception of Broad Beans are warm season crops and frost tender. Seeds germinate best at 18 - 25°C; seed will rot in cold, wet soil and even if they do germinate the plants will lack vigour and be overtaken by a later sowing into a warmer soil. In temperate areas sow beans through spring and early summer. In cold temperate areas you may need to wait until late October, early November. In frost-free, subtropical areas beans can be sown all year but will suffer from pest (bean fly) and disease (rust) problems at the height of summer so avoid sowing in December and January. In tropical areas sow during the dry season April to August. In the tropics snake beans can be a better choice as they are more disease resistant. Other tropical beans include Madagascar Bean and Winged Bean. These tropical beans can be grown as far south as Brisbane but require a very warm soil to germinate so should not be sown before early summer.
Soil Type: Fertile, well drained, garden loam with a pH of 6.2 - 7.0
Germination period: 4 - 10 days
Planting depth: 2 - 4 cm deep
Position: Full sun; bush beans can have a strange reaction to insufficient sunlight or constant overcast weather, they can start to turn into climbers. All beans were originally climbers and may revert if conditions don't suit them, such as not enough sunlight.
Sow Where: Direct into garden bed
Row Spacing: Double rows 60 cm apart
Plant Spacing after thinning: 10 - 15 cm between plants
Details: Hill plants, up to 10 cm deep, to protect from wind damage. Water well once after sowing and then do not water again until seedlings appear.
Harvest: Pick daily, early in the morning for the best flavour