This year the garden bed is growing by growing beans. The easy-care plants are high-yielding and an ideal partner for mixed cultivation. There are only a few weeks between sowing and harvesting. The following instructions provide an initial overview of planting the beans.
How do I plant beans correctly?
To plant beans successfully, choose a sunny, wind-protected location and humus-rich soil. Wait until at least mid-May to sow the delicate bean seeds and for bush beans maintain a distance of 6-8cm between seeds and 50cm between rows.
What types of beans are there?
Bush beans, runner beans and runner beans differ, among other things. in their growth. Bush beans grow up to 50 cm high and require some space to spread out. Runner beans and runner beans grow upwards on a trellis.
What does the location have to be like for growing beans?
- a wind-protected bed in a sunny location in the garden
- Partly shaded locations are also suitable for bush and runner beans
- a sunny place for beans on the balcony
In which substrate do I have to plant beans?
Humus-rich, loose, sandy-loamy soils are well suited. Beans are suitable for crop rotation as a light feeder and can be grown on the same bed for several years in a row.
When is it time to plant beans?
Bean seeds and plants are sensitive to cold. You should therefore not start sowing them before mid-May. A soil temperature of at least 10 degrees is required so that the germs can develop well. You also only put pre-grown plants in the garden bed after the Ice Saints.
Good and bad neighbors
- good neighbors: savory, cabbage, lettuce, radishes, celery, potatoes, strawberries
- bad neighbors: peas, onions, leeks, garlic, fennel
At what distance should beans be sown?
Bush beans can be sown in rows or in clumps. When sowing in rows, you place a seed 6 to 8 cm apart. Keep a distance of 50 cm between the rows. When sowing in clumps, 5 - 6 seeds are sown in a circle with a distance of 40 cm between the clumps.
The runner beans and runner beans are also sown in clumps with a distance of 40 cm to the next trellis.
How helpful is pre-germinating beans?
Pre-germination gives bean plants a head start in growth because a consistent germination temperature can be maintained.
How long does it take from sowing to harvest?
It takes about 10 weeks from sowing to harvesting. Early bush bean varieties are ready to harvest after just 6 weeks.
When and how are beans harvested?
- Bush beans are harvested from July, before the individual beans can be clearly felt through the pods
- Thanks to frequent picking, the harvest is possible until September
- Runner beans when the pods can be broken through smoothly, about 10 weeks after sowing
- Field beans as milk-ripe fruits or fully ripe as dry beans, harvest between July and early October
Tips & Tricks
A cultural protection net (€13.00 on Amazon) protects bean seeds and bean plants from bean flies, birds and cats. Insect nets or white curtains are also suitable.
