Ruqayyah Snyder
Green beans are a great choice for beginner gardeners in Australia as they are easy to grow, require little work, and produce large harvests. They can be grown in both pots and garden beds, and are a warm-season crop that can generally be planted in the ground or into a container from spring onwards. The best time to plant green beans in Australia is from late October onwards, after the risk of cold weather and frost has passed. For a continuous supply of beans through the summer, start planting dwarf beans in late October and climbing beans a month later.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of growing | Easy to grow, ideal for beginners |
| Types | Green beans, snap beans, French beans, string beans, runner beans, broad beans, Borlotti beans, dwarf beans, climbing beans |
| Soil requirements | Well-drained soil, soil pH between 6 and 7, soil temperature between 16°C and 30°C, no overwatering |
| Planting time | Spring onwards, after the risk of frost has passed, late October for dwarf beans, one month later for climbing beans |
| Harvest time | Continuous supply through summer, until May |
| Pests and diseases | Whiteflies, aphids, powdery mildew, halo blight |
| Maintenance | Weed when young, mulch with pea straw, water with a fine mist in the morning, pick beans frequently |
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$0.75
What You'll Learn
Planting times and seasons
Green beans are a great choice for beginner gardeners as they are easy to grow, require little work, and produce large harvests. They can be grown in both pots and garden beds, making them perfect for all garden sizes.
Beans are a warm-season crop and can generally be planted in the ground or containers from spring onwards, once the risk of frost has passed. The best time to plant your beans will vary slightly depending on your local climate, but they need soil temperatures of between 16°C and 30°C to germinate. If you live in the cooler parts of Australia, wait until at least late October to plant beans, when the chance of cold weather has passed.
For a continuous supply of beans throughout the summer, start planting dwarf beans in late October and climbing beans a month later. Climbing beans generally have a later and longer harvest season and produce the heaviest crops. A further planting of climbing beans in January should produce beans until May. Dwarf beans, on the other hand, don't require staking and are ideal for growing in pots.
If you live in the tropics or subtropics, snake beans and lablab beans are widely grown during the warmest, wettest months. In the subtropics, you get two shots at sowing, in both spring and autumn, when the weather is cooling but the soil is still moist.
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Soil preparation
In Australia, green beans can be grown successfully in spring and summer. They prefer warmer temperatures, so it is best to wait until the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed sufficiently before planting. This is usually around
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Pest control
Green beans are susceptible to various pests, including insects and fungi. Effective pest control is critical for successful green bean production. Here are some tips for managing pests when growing green beans in Australia:
Bean Weevils
Bean weevils (Bruchus abtectus) are small, dark brown insects about 3 mm long. They infest ripe pods by laying eggs inside them, and the resulting larvae bore into the seeds. Control measures during the storage period, such as fumigation or pesticide application on shelves and walls, are crucial to managing bean weevils. Storing seeds below 6°C eliminates the need for chemicals.
Nematodes
Nematodes are tiny worms that cause extensive damage to green bean plantings. They thrive in cool, damp soil rich in decaying organic matter. To control nematodes, treat the soil with fumigants before sowing seeds. Avoid adding un-decomposed organic material shortly before sowing to prevent nematode infestations.
Thrips
Thrips are extremely small insects, ranging from 1 to 2 mm in size. They feed on flowers and developing pods, causing silver spots on the pod surface. Control thrips with a full-cover spray of insecticide, repeating the application if necessary after 10 to 14 days.
Aphids
Aphids are small insects that can be green, red, or grey. They pierce leaves and stems to suck juices from the plant, causing drooping or yellowing of leaves. Honeydew, a sticky substance produced by aphids, may also be present on leaves and soil, attracting ants. Control aphid infestations by promoting good air circulation and removing infested plants.
Beetles
Several types of beetles, such as Mexican bean beetles, Japanese beetles, and brown-spotted bean leaf beetles, can damage bean plants. They typically feed on the undersides of leaves but may also target pods and stems. Hand-picking beetles and dropping them into soapy water is an effective control method. Additionally, plant fast-growing bean varieties that mature before beetles become prevalent.
Two-Spotted Mites
Two-spotted mites thrive in warm weather and cause dry white spots on leaves and stunted, whitish, shrivelled pods. Early application of miticides is essential for controlling these pests. Remove old crops after harvesting to prevent the spread of mites to other plants.
Fungi
Green beans are also susceptible to fungal infections like powdery mildew and halo blight, which can be caused by humidity, water on foliage, or poor air circulation. To prevent fungal issues, ensure good air circulation around the plants and avoid watering the leaves. If halo blight is detected, remove and destroy infected plants, but do not compost them.
Cultural Practices and Crop Rotation
Practising good cultural techniques, such as tilling the soil in early spring to destroy overwintering insects, can minimise pest appearances. Crop rotation is another effective method to confuse and thwart bean pests. Plant beans in a different spot each year, following crop rotation principles, to reduce the risk of pest infestations.
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Harvesting
In Australia, beans are a warm-season crop and can generally be planted in the ground or containers from spring onwards, once the risk of frost has passed. The best time to plant beans will vary depending on your local climate, but soil temperatures should be between 16°C and 30°C for beans to germinate.
- Pick beans when they are young, tender, and lean, before they become large, lumpy, or bulging within the pods.
- Pick daily to avoid letting the beans develop their seeds. Once the plant has produced viable seeds, it may stop flowering.
- Pick beans when the pods are firm to the touch and as thick as a pencil. If the pods are left to grow too big, they will become stringy and tough.
- Pick beans frequently to ensure a good yield over a long season.
- If you want to check whether your beans are ready, open a pod and inspect the size of the beans inside against the target size for the variety you are growing.
- Beans are ready to harvest when they make a "'snap' noise as they break if you bend them in half."
- Pick in the afternoon or evening, as beans picked in the morning may fall off the plant when knocked.
- To prevent beans from becoming stringy, pinch off the tops of pole bean vines when they reach the top of their support.
- If you want to dry your beans, leave them on the plant until they are dry and then harvest them for use in soups and stews.
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Types of green beans
Green beans, also known as snap beans, French beans, or string beans, are a climbing member of the legumes family. They are easy to grow and produce a generous harvest with minimal effort. Green beans are best harvested when they are young and tender, providing a sweet and succulent flavour with a squeaky texture.
There are several types of green beans, including:
- Dwarf or bush beans: These beans do not require staking and are a good option for those without space for a structure for the beans to climb. They are also known as bush beans and typically have a shorter maturation time than climbing beans.
- Climbing beans: These beans will require a sturdy support system, such as bamboo stakes fashioned into an A-frame or a teepee, or wire mesh. They generally have a longer harvest season than dwarf beans and can be harvested regularly to encourage new flowers and pods.
- Scarlet or runner beans: These beans are a type of climbing perennial bean with larger, flatter, and tougher pods. They have an earthier and less sweet flavour compared to common green beans.
- Broad beans: Also known as faba or fava beans, these beans have a longer maturation time of 18-25 weeks and are typically grown in garden beds due to their size. Their pods can be picked young and cooked, or left to mature and develop the beans inside.
Regardless of the type of green bean, it is important to harvest the pods while they are still tender and before they become too large or lumpy within the pods. This ensures the best flavour and texture.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to plant green beans in Australia is spring, after the risk of frost has passed and when the soil temperature is between 16°C and 30°C.
Green beans can be grown in pots or garden beds. Bean seeds should be planted directly where the plants are to grow as seedlings don't transplant well. The seeds should be planted in well-drained soil with a pH level between 6 and 7.
Keep the potting mix moist while the bean plants are growing. Avoid watering the leaves as this can increase the chance of leaf diseases. Water the plants with a fine mist in the early morning to improve flower setting.
Harvest green beans while the pods are young, tender, and crisp. Pick the beans when they are firm to the touch but still lean. If the pods are left to grow too big, they will become stringy and tough.
