How to plant out french beans

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Friday, 5 April 2019 at 10:39 am

Follow our guide to planting out delicious French beans in late spring.

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After all risk of frost has passed (usually some time in May in the UK) you can plant out tender crops such as dwarf French beans.

Read our detailed Grow Guide to French beans.

Take care to harden off plants first. This involves gradually acclimatising them to outdoor conditions by placing them outside during the day and bringing them back in at night, before finally keeping them outside all the time.

Find out how to plant out French beans for the best results, below.

You will need:

French bean plants
Watering can
Trowel
Plant supports

Total time: 30 minutes

Step 1:

Soak the plants thoroughly, then carefully knock them out of their pots. Aim to space the plants 20cm apart, with 35cm between rows. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots and gently firm plants in.

Planting out French beans — How to plant out French beans - planting young bean plants

Step 2:

Add short stakes such as bamboo canes, to protect their delicate stems and support the developing beans.

Staking French beans — How to plant out French beans - adding plant supports

Step 3:

Water well to settle the soil around the roots. Then water at least weekly - more in dry spells. Apply a weekly dressing of high potash fertiliser such as tomato feed, once the plants start to flower.

Watering in French beans — How to plant out French beans - watering the plants

Slug and snail control

Protect your crops from slugs and snails, which feast on tender, new growth. Try wildlife-freindly slug pellets or consider other options for protecting young plants.