- French Beans in my opinion are a much easier crop to grow than their runner bean cousins as they rarely have the problem of flower setting, normally resulting in a much more consistent harvest.

- For the best results French Beans will need to be grown in full sun, so make sure to plant them in one of the sunniest spots in the garden.

- Do not start French beans too early as they do not like the cold. Any frost will kill them or at least badly damage the plant.

- French beans come in a wide range of varieties but are normally grouped into either: Bush, Dwarf or Climbing 

- If you are growing a climbing variety they will need shelter and deep fertile soil.

- All varieties can be grown in containers, however, bush or dwarf varieties are the best options in you are planning a container garden.

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Sowing & Growing

- As with most plants I recommend sowing the seeds in seed modules or small pots, inside a propagator, greenhouse or polytunnel to get a head start on the growing season. French beans need at least 11*c to germinate, if sowing directly it would be a good idea to warm up the soil under cloche or fleece.

- If the seeds are being sown inside, start sowing in late March, if you are directly sowing outside, wait until the last frost date which is normally in May.  

- For dwarf varieties sow 5cm deep in blocks 40cm apart, 15cm between plants. This is closer than recommended but with good watering and feeding they will be fine.