Leslie Massey
Beans are a great choice for beginner gardeners as they are easy to grow, productive, nutritious, and suffer from few pests and diseases. In Australia, the best time to plant beans depends on the region. For those in the southern parts of Australia, spring is the ideal time to sow beans, while those in the tropics and subtropics should plant during the cooler, drier months. Bean varieties include dwarf or climbing beans, with the latter being further classified into bush beans and pole beans. Climbing beans are ideal for those with limited space as they grow vertically, while dwarf beans are compact plants perfect for small gardens and large pots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Beans | Dwarf, Climbing, Runner, Broad Beans, Green Beans, Scarlet Beans, String Beans, Bush Beans |
| Soil Type | Slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.5 and 5.5 |
| Soil Preparation | Loosen the soil to 15-20cm deep, break up large clods, add organic compost to a depth of 10cm |
| Soil Moisture | Moist, but not wet |
| Sunlight | Full sun (at least 6 hours a day) |
| Sowing Time | Spring and Autumn in subtropics, Spring in southern parts of Australia |
| Harvest Time | 10-14 weeks depending on variety |
| Pests and Diseases | Halo blight, fungal diseases |
| Fertiliser | Not heavy feeders, fix their own nitrogen in the soil |
| Rotation | Practice crop rotation, plant after flowering crops and before leafy vegetables |
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What You'll Learn
Soil preparation
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the soil is well-drained. Beans do not tolerate soggy or wet roots, so make sure the soil is moist but not wet. Aim to water the roots of the plant, rather than the foliage or flowers.
The ideal soil for beans should be slightly acidic, with a pH between 6.5 and 5.5. You can test the pH of your soil using a soil pH test kit. At least two weeks before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of 15-20 cm, breaking up any large clods of earth. Mix in a rich source of organic matter, such as compost, decomposed manure, blood and bone meal, or a pelletised fertilizer.
It is important not to over-fertilise the soil, as this can lead to an excess of foliage at the expense of bean production. Beans are not heavy feeders and will fix their own nitrogen in the soil.
To promote healthy growth and avoid fungal diseases, ensure that your plants are not overcrowded. Space them according to the recommendations on the seed packet, and practice crop rotation to maintain soil fertility.
Finally, mulching your bed is important, but be sure to keep the mulch away from the stems of the beans, as this can cause issues.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your soil is optimally prepared for growing healthy and productive bean plants.
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Planting time
Beans are a warm-season crop, so they should be planted in spring in southern parts of Australia, and in autumn in the tropics and subtropics. In the subtropics, there are two sowing seasons: spring and autumn. In cooler areas of Australia, you might come across the scarlet runner bean, while snake beans, lablab beans, and Madagascar beans are grown in the tropics and subtropics.
When planting beans, it is important to ensure that the last frost has passed in cool or mountainous areas. Beans dislike extreme cold. Choose a spot in your garden or vegetable patch that receives full sun (at least 6 hours a day) and has well-drained, friable, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.5 and 5.5. At least two weeks before planting, loosen the soil to 15–20 cm deep, breaking up any large clods. Add organic compost to a depth of about 10 cm.
Beans can be grown from seeds or seedlings and should be planted after flowering crops like broccoli and cauliflower. They should be followed by leafy vegetables. Space plants as recommended on the seed packet or punnet, usually around 15–20 cm deep. Avoid planting beans too closely as overcrowding can encourage fungal diseases. Beans should not be repeatedly planted in the same garden bed, and crop rotation should be practised to maintain soil fertility and avoid soil-borne diseases.
Keep beans moist, but not wet, while they are growing, and water the roots of the plant, not the foliage or flowers. Beans do not like too much water and are prone to fungal issues like halo blight. They will also not grow well in soggy or wet soil. Beans do not need much fertiliser and will fix their own nitrogen in the soil. If the soil is too fertile, they will likely produce too many leaves at the expense of beans.
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Pest control
Bean beetles are a common pest that feeds on the leaves, pods, and seeds of bean plants. They can cause extensive damage and reduce crop yields. To control bean beetles, you can use insecticides or
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Harvesting
The harvesting time for beans varies depending on the variety. Dwarf varieties are usually ready for harvest within 10 weeks, while other varieties can take 12 to 14 weeks. Green beans are typically ready for harvest 8 to 10 weeks from sowing. For the best taste and texture, it is recommended to harvest beans when they are young, tender, and crisp. Harvesting should be done before the seeds have swollen to avoid lumps in the pods. Regular harvesting of manageable numbers of beans can promote more flowering and tastier bean pods.
Climbing beans produce a continuous harvest throughout the season, while dwarf or bush beans produce their entire crop at once. For a continued harvest all summer long, it is recommended to sow seeds every two weeks. If you're unable to harvest during a particular period, simply skip a planting. For climbing beans, regular harvesting encourages new flowers and pods. When growing Borlotti beans for the dry beans, leave the pods on the plant until they are mature and have dried out.
When harvesting beans, it is important to snap or cut the beans off the plant carefully, without tearing the plant. Fresh beans should snap easily when broken. Beans can be picked every day or every three days. It is best to harvest in the morning when their sugar level is highest. Look for firm, sizable pods that are generally as thick as a pencil. Avoid harvesting when the seeds inside are bulging, as this indicates that the beans are past their peak and will have a tough texture.
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Types of beans
Beans are available in many different varieties, but they are usually classified into two types: dwarf or climbing.
Dwarf Beans
Also known as bush beans, dwarf beans produce their entire crop at once and do not require staking. Dwarf beans are perfect for small garden spaces and large pots. Some varieties include:
- Heirloom Dwarf Brown Beauty
- Dwarf Hawkesbury Wonder
- Dwarf Bountiful Butter
- Dwarf Borlotti
Climbing Beans
Climbing beans, sometimes referred to as pole beans, grow vertically and can produce large volumes of beans in relatively little garden space. They need room to grow up a trellis or other support structure. Some varieties include:
- Stringless Blue Lake
- Purple King
- Scarlet Runner Beans
Broad Beans
Broad beans, also known as faba or fava beans, are shrub-like and best suited for growing in a vegie patch or garden bed. They have a long maturing time of 18-25 weeks and can grow to 1-2 metres tall. Some varieties include:
- Early Long Pod
- Coles Prolific
- Aquadulce
- PBA Kareema
Runner Beans
Scarlet Runner Beans are a type of climbing bean with vibrant red flowers and long pods.
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Frequently asked questions
Beans need full sun and well-drained, friable soil with a pH between 6.5 and 5.5. They should be kept moist but not wet.
If you live in the southern parts of Australia, you should sow your beans in spring. If you live in the tropics or subtropics, you should sow in autumn.
Beans are usually categorised into two types: dwarf or climbing. Dwarf beans include Dwarf Hawkesbury Wonder and Dwarf Borlotti, while climbing beans include Scarlet Runner Beans and Purple King.
Beans are prone to fungal issues, such as halo blight, which can be avoided by ensuring that plants are not too close together. Beans also dislike being touched by mulch and being given too much water or fertiliser.
It is best to harvest beans every three days when the pods are young and tender. Regular harvesting will promote more flowering.
