How to Plant French Beans
French beans are easy to grow in Malaysia because they love the heat and can withstand dry conditions better than any other crop. When you plant French beans, you will help the soil because of the nitrogen from the roots. Also, you should pick French beans when they are young and green.
It is an excellent idea to acclimatise French bean seeds before planting them outside. This method involves placing them outside during the day and bringing them inside at night. You should do this for approximately seven days.
Three Steps to Planting French Beans
Before you begin planting French bean seeds, let’s take a look at what you will need:
- French bean seeds
- Water
- A garden shovel
- At least 30 minutes
- Plant supports
Step 1: Prepare the Seeds
Some gardeners soak their French bean seeds before planting. This step helps decrease the amount of time it takes for the seeds to germinate. Soaking seeds can boost the moisture around them, which alerts the seed that it is time to grow.
Follow these steps to soak your French bean seeds:
- Fill a small container with water as hot as your tap will allow. We do not recommend boiling the water.
- Once the container is filled with warm water, place your seeds inside.
- Allow the seeds to remain in the water as it cools down.
- Soak the seeds for 12 to 24 hours and never more than 48 hours.
Step 2: Plant the French Bean Seeds
After soaking the seeds, you can plant them as directed. Find a warm, sunny spot in well-drained soil to plant your French beans. Make sure that you never sow French bean seeds if the soil is wet and cold, and don’t pour water in the hole when planting.
Start growing the seeds in the compost. Plant the seeds five centimetres deep and five centimetres apart in rows 45 centimetres apart. You can add stakes to protect the French beans’ delicate stems and support the growing beans.
Step 3: Harvest
It takes approximately 8–12 weeks from sowing to harvesting. Gardeners usually pick the pods when they are 10–15 centimetres long. Always pick the pods carefully because you don’t want to pull too hard and harm the plant. It is an excellent idea to pick fresh French beans throughout the week to encourage more pods to be produced.
After harvesting, you can eat the French beans immediately or freeze them. Keep in mind that all types of French beans freeze well.
Taking Care of French Beans
- Water: It is essential to water the plants thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. You must water every week and more often during dry periods. Moisture at the roots is critical to get the best pod formation.
- Fertilise: You can fertilise once a week. Apply it as soon as the plants start to flower.
- Climbing French bean varieties: When planting climbing French bean seeds, always use poles or plastic netting.
- Dig: It is an excellent idea to dig and compost to keep the soil moist and minimise weeds when the plants are seedlings. Doing this will help your plants grow taller.
French Bean Pest Control
Growing French bean seeds requires you to keep pests under control. Keep in mind the following:
- Slugs and snails could attack young plants and pods. Make sure to protect them by using beer traps, eggshell barriers, and biocontrols.
- As soon as the plants grow, blackflies may increase.
- Protect plants from birds by covering them with a net or fleece.
- If your French bean plants are attacked by black bean aphids, make sure to pinch out the infested tips. This will prevent disfigured plants and broad beans.
How to Store French Beans
As we mentioned earlier, French beans can be eaten immediately, or you can dry them. If you want dried French beans, you must hang them to dry them upside down in the sun. Make sure to cover them in bad weather.
Once the French bean pods are crisp and dry, cover them and store them in airtight containers. Keep in mind that they need to be soaked in cold water before eating for at least 12 hours, or until they are soft.
Follow these simple steps if you want to grow French bean seeds in your vegetable garden! It’s so simple that anyone can grow them and enjoy the great experience. Give it a try and you’ll love it. For more information, feel free to get in touch with us.
Happy planting!
