French beans, like any other vegetable, need adequate space to grow. Below you can find out which planting distance you should keep when sowing the bush beans.

If the beans are sown too densely, they will have to be transplanted later

When are bush beans sown?

Bush beans need a lot of warmth. Below 8°C soil temperature they will not germinate at all. It is therefore advisable to only sow or plant French beans outdoors from mid/late May or early June. You can even plant French beans in July and then harvest them in late summer.
In the greenhouse or cold frame you can sow bush beans from April.

How are bush beans sown?

When sowing bush beans, several dimensions must be observed:

  • 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 is best to check the packaging for the recommended distance. If in doubt, choose 40cm.

Not all beans always sprout. If your seeds are older, you have two options for making sure that there are no gaps in your French bean bed: First, you can start your French beans at home. This has the advantage that you can ensure optimal temperatures so that the bush beans germinate faster. 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 surplus seedlings in an extra row or on the compost heap if you don't want to throw them away.

Ideal site conditions for the bush beans

Bush beans need sun, humus-rich, loose soil and a location that is as sheltered as possible from the wind. Since bush beans only grow to a height of half a meter, they do not need climbing aids.

This is how you proceed when sowing

Before you sow your bush beans, you should dig up the soil thoroughly and, if necessary, enrich it with some compost. Then stretch a rope lengthways across your bed, to which you will align the plants. Make sure you keep a distance of at least 15 cm from the edge of the bed. Using a tape measure and a stick or something similar, drill a hole about 3 cm deep in the ground every 30 to 40 cm. The best way to keep the planting depth is to mark the 3 cm on the stick. Then put in the seeds, cover them with soil and water your bush beans.

tips

Never eat your French beans raw as they contain toxic proteins that can even cause death if consumed in excess.

Category:

Vegetable garden