Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Green beans grow in a wide range of well-drained soils at pH 6.0–7.0. They are legumes and fix their own nitrogen with the right soil bacteria — inoculate seeds with rhizobium inoculant before sowing for 20–30% better yields in unfamiliar soil. Do not add nitrogen fertiliser. Sow directly 3–4cm deep in rows 45cm apart; space bush bean seeds 8–10cm apart, pole bean seeds 15cm apart at the base of a 2m trellis. Do not transplant — beans resent root disturbance. Sow only after soil has warmed above 15°C and all frost risk has passed. Water moderately — 2.5cm per week — keeping soil evenly moist but not wet; drought during flowering causes bean drop and wet soils cause root rot. Mulch to conserve moisture. Feed only with a phosphorus and potassium fertiliser (0-10-10) at flowering — nitrogen at this stage produces all foliage and no beans. Succession-sow bush beans every 3 weeks for continuous harvest.
