Bush beans, like any other vegetable plant, need enough space to grow. Below you will find out which planting distance you should keep when sowing bush beans.
What distance should you keep for bush beans?
The ideal planting distance for bush beans is 30 to 40 cm between plants and 40 cm between rows. Pay attention to the recommended spacing of the respective variety and ensure there is sufficient sun, humus-rich, loose soil and a location protected from the wind.
When are bush beans sown?
Bush beans require a lot of warmth. They do not germinate at all below a soil temperature of 8°C. It is therefore advisable not to sow or plant bush beans outdoors until mid/late May or early June. You can even plant bush beans in July and then harvest them in late summer. In the greenhouse or cold frame, you can sow bush beans as early as April.
How are bush beans sown?
There are several dimensions to consider when sowing bush beans:
- Sowing depth: 3 to 4cm
- Planting distance: 30 to 40cm
- Row spacing: 40cm
The optimal planting distance varies slightly depending on the bush bean variety. It's best to read the recommended distance on the package. If in doubt, choose 40cm.
Not all beans always germinate. If your seeds are older, you have two options to make sure that there are no gaps in your bush bean bed: Firstly, you can grow your bush beans at home. This has the advantage that you can ensure optimal temperatures so that the bush beans germinate more quickly. You can read more about germination times and germination temperatures here. Or you can sow a bean every 15 to 20 cm and prick out your plants as soon as they are a few centimeters tall. You can plant the excess plants in an extra row or on the compost heap if you don't want to throw them away.
Ideal location conditions for bush beans
Bush beans need sun, humus-rich, loose soil and a location that is as sheltered from the wind as possible. Since bush beans only grow to a height of half a meter, they do not require any climbing support.
How to sow seeds
Before you sow your bush beans, you should dig the soil thoroughly and, if necessary, enrich it with some compost. Then stretch a rope lengthwise across your bed, against which you will align the plants. Make sure that you maintain a distance of at least 15cm from the edge of the bed. Using a tape measure and a stick (€9.00 on Amazon) or something similar, drill a hole about 3cm deep in the ground every 30 to 40cm. The best way to maintain the planting depth is to mark 3cm on the stick. Then put the seeds in, cover them with soil and water your bush beans.
Tip
Never eat your French beans raw as they contain toxic protein which can even lead to death if consumed in excess.
