Shop

A colourful collection of tasty French Beans! Climbing Bean Mixed combines 3 of the best varieties from the latest breeding programmes, each with different flower and pod colours. These high yielding varieties produce excellent crops of stringless, flavoursome, 25cm (10") pods which hold in prime condition for much longer than traditional varieties. An excellent choice for adding colour to the vegetable plot as well as on the plateSow climbing bean seeds indoors from mid April for transplanting later on, or direct sow outdoors from late May to July. Indoors, sow bean seeds at a depth of 2cm (1") in 7.5cm (3") pots or trays of free-draining, seed sowing compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a plastic bag at a temperature of 12-25C (54-77F) until germination, which takes 7-10 days. Do not exclude light as this helps germination. Alternatively direct sow French beans outdoors when the soil as warmed. Sow 2 bean seeds per station at a depth of 5cm (2") and a distance of 23cm (9") apart. Plant Climbing beans in rows that are 60cm (24") apart, or where space is limited, try growing climbing beans onto a wigwam structure. Climbing beans require support from garden canes, strings or netting which should be put in place at the time of planting.Once germinated, grow on in cooler conditions until all risk of frost has passed and the climbing bean plants are large enough to be transplanted. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7 - 10 days before planting French beans outdoors in rich fertile, well drained soil in full sun with protection from strong winds.

New breeding to extend the harvesting period and to improve weather resistance has produced dwarf bean ‘Caledonia’. With a strong root system, plants reach a height of 60cm (2ft) and produce a profusion of pods over a longer harvesting season. Plants are an attractive addition to the kitchen garden.Sow seeds indoors individually in 7.5cm (3in) pots at 18-21°C (65-70°F) from February to May for transplanting outdoors after all risk of frost has passed. Alternatively, sow direct outdoors May to July in warm soil, as germination can be erratic in cold, wet soils. Sow 2 or 3 seeds 4cm (1½in) deep, allowing 20cm (8in) between each group of seeds and 45cm (18in) between rows with no need to thin out. For early crops under glass, sow in heat from February onwards.Gradually acclimatise indoor-grown plants to outdoor conditions for a few days before planting out 20cm (8in) apart after all risk of frost is passed. Use cloches to aid establishment of earliest sowings. Hoe regularly and keep well watered and mulched during dry periods. Harvest regularly whilst young for highest yields and to extend the season.