Potatoes and leeks are piled up to protect the fruits from sunlight. But bush beans grow above ground. So what is the purpose of piling up French beans? Find out below why bush beans are piled up and how to do it step by step.
Why does piling up bush beans make sense?
Hilling bush beans encourages the formation of lateral roots, helping the plant to absorb more support, water and nutrients. Bulk beans grow stronger and he althier, resulting in higher crop yields.
Why should you pile up your French beans?
Hilling is useful for beans for several reasons, as the plant can form lateral roots, which in turn have positive effects on the growth of the plant:
- The bush beans have more support and are less at risk in storms and weather.
- The bush beans can absorb more water.
- The bush beans can absorb more nutrients.
In summary, this means that piling up means that the bush beans grow stronger and he althier and therefore a higher harvest yield can be achieved.
When are French beans piled up?
Bush beans are piled up when they have grown vigorously, that is, when they have reached a height of around 15cm to 25cm. Depending on the planting time, this can be in April, June or even July. Even if you have missed the ideal date for piling up, you can still piling up later. This gives the sensitive plants better support at all times.
Pile up bush beans step by step
Choose a sunny day to pile up your bush beans so that a sudden downpour doesn't ruin your work. Then do the following:
- Carefully loosen the soil around the bush beans.
- Use your hands to push soil up the stem of your bush beans.
- The pile can grow up to five centimeters high.
- Then press the soil firmly so that it is not washed away in the next downpour.
When piling up, be careful not to injure your young French beans.
Is piling absolutely necessary?
Even bush beans that are not piled up can produce plenty of beans and do not have to fall over in the first storm. Bush beans in particular that are in a protected location can cope without piling up. Hilling is highly recommended for bush beans that are exposed to a lot of wind. If your bush beans break off, this is a clear sign that piling up would have been necessary.
Tip
If you notice that your French beans are still lacking stability, you can repeat the hilling process later in the year.
