French Bean

One of the easiest and most productive crops for a UK summer. Sow after the last frost, keep picking, and they'll produce armfuls of pods from July through September.

Written by Yemi · Last reviewed August 2026

Waiting this month

First sprouts in 5–8 days

Difficulty

Out of season right now. The next sowing window opens in April.

Growing Calendar

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sow

Transplant

Harvest

This month: Oct

Plan ahead for this crop

•Check growing conditions
•Prepare for next stage

Sowing Guide

What you'd find on the seed packet

Sow Depth

5cm

Spacing

15cm between plants, 45cm between rows

Germination

5–8days

Thinning

Not required if sown at final spacing

Grower's Note

Choose climbing varieties (Cobra, Blauhilde) for bigger yields in a smaller footprint. Dwarf varieties (The Prince, Speedy) work well in containers and need no staking. Sow a second batch 3 weeks after the first for a continuous harvest.

Recommended Varieties

'Cobra' holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit, a climbing variety with a heavy, stringless crop over a long period. 'Purple Teepee' doesn't hold an AGM but its dark purple pods are genuinely easier to spot when picking, and it needs no support at just 45cm.

Planting Out Guide

Best spaces, conditions and how to plant out

Plant Spacing

15cm (in rows 45cm apart)

Best Grown In

Raised beds, large containers, open ground

Conditions

Full sun, sheltered. Well-drained, fertile soil or compost. Do not plant out before the last frost.

Grower's Note

Pre-warming the soil with black plastic before planting boosts establishment speed. Water well once flowering begins to set pods.

Growing Stages

Approximate weeks from sowing to harvest

Sprouting

1wks

Establishing

4wks

Maturing

8wks

Total~13 weeksfrom seed to harvest

Companion Plants

Carrot

Repels Pests

Carrot's feathery foliage helps break up the scent trail pests would otherwise follow straight to French Bean.

Cucumber

Suppresses Weeds

Cucumber's sprawling vines work as a living mulch, shading the soil around French Bean and leaving less room for weeds.

Peas

Fixes Nitrogen

Peas fix nitrogen from the air into the soil as they grow, enriching it for French Bean.

Marigold

Repels Pests

Marigold's strong scent confuses pest insects, and its roots help suppress soil nematodes that trouble French Bean.

Summer savory

Repels Pests

Summer savory is the classic bean companion. Its scent is thought to deter bean beetle from French Bean.

This week for your french bean

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Water

Every 2–3 days

Sunlight

6+ hours direct sun

Watch Out For

Blackfly colonises growing tips in warm weather: pinch out affected tips and allow natural predators time to move in before reaching for a spray

Poor pod-set in hot dry spells: water consistently at the base during flowering and never wet the foliage overhead

Slugs destroy seedlings overnight: protect with copper tape or grit and transplant only once plants are at least 8–10cm tall

Pests & Problems

Full guide

Black Bean Aphid

Black clusters on shoot tips and under leaves

Jun–Aug

Slugs

Seedlings destroyed

Apr–Jun

Bean Seed Fly

Seeds fail to germinate or seedlings collapse

Apr–Jun

What You'll Need

Equipment for growing french bean

Organic Seeds: Just Seed

Certified organic, open-pollinated

Pea & Bean Netting

Jute support for climbers

Bamboo Canes

Pack of 20 × 120cm

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Common Questions

About growing French Bean in the UK

When can I plant French beans outside in the UK?

Plant French beans outside from late May to June, after the last frost. They are frost-tender and will be killed by even a light frost. Start indoors in April for an earlier crop that can be planted out once conditions are safe.

What is the difference between climbing and dwarf French beans?

Dwarf (bush) varieties grow to about 45cm and need little or no support. Climbing varieties grow to 1.5–2m and need a support framework. Climbers generally produce higher yields over a longer period; dwarf types are more convenient for containers and raised beds.

Why are my French bean pods tough and stringy?

Pods become tough and develop strings when left on the plant too long. Harvest when pods are slim and snap cleanly: before seeds become visible as bumps along the length. Check plants every 2–3 days in peak season.

Can I grow French beans in containers?

Dwarf varieties grow well in large containers (at least 30cm deep). Use a rich, well-draining compost and water regularly. A 40–50cm container can support 3–4 dwarf plants for a productive harvest.

Written from real growing experience, organic methods only. Our story · Our approach

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