• About
  • Archive
  • Contact
The Greening of Gavin
  • Home
  • Our Green Shop
    • Little Green Workshops
  • Green Workshops
    • Cheese Making
    • Soap Making
    • Soy Candle Making
  • eBooks
    • Clay Oven eBook
    • Keep Calm and Make Cheese eBook
  • Podcast
    • TGOG Podcast
    • TGoG Podcast Archive
    • Little Green Cheese
  • Vlog
  • Cheese
  • Green Living
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Soap Making
    • Recipes
    • Climate Change
    • Peak Oil
    • Solar Power
  • Resources

How To Plant Beans

September 17, 2015 @ 21:58 By Gavin Webber 6 Comments

Beans are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in the suburban backyard.  Not only do they taste fresh and crisp, they are usually abundant croppers.

The more beans you pick, the more that grow.  This veggie just keeps on giving and giving.  Most beans are ready to start harvesting in about 8 to 10 weeks after sowing.

Now if you are worried about garden space, there are two main varieties of bean to plant during spring here in our temperate climate.  If you are pressed for horizontal space, then you plant a climbing variety, and if you want to fill up a long narrow bed, then plant some dwarf bush beans.

How to plant beans - climbing frame

Climbing frame for beans

Climbing Beans

For those horizontally challenged gardeners, you only need a little bit of space to grow climbing beans.  You will need a frame on which to grow the bean stalks.   I made this  frame out of an old gazebo frame.  Anything will work as long as it is round.  Let your imagination go wild when it comes to beans.

How to plant beans - Lazy housewife beans

Lazy Housewife beans

My favourite climbing bean is the Lazy Housewife bean.  They are a stringless bean, that just needs top and tailing before cooking and are very prolific.  They are delicious eaten raw or cooked as a green bean, or dried for soups and stews.

Planting is easy.

Planting climbing beans

Planting climbing beans

Make sure your soil is rich with dug in compost and with your hand make a shallow furrow twice the depth of the bean.  Climbing beans can be planted about 10 cm apart as they don’t compete for horizontal real estate.  They just want to climb!

Cover the seeds with soil and pat gently, then water them in.  You won’t need to water again until the first leaves emerge from the soil.  Once you have a seedling, just keep the soil moist and watch them grow!  They are an annual so have a single season lifespan.

Gavin and Lazy housewife beans

Gavin and Lazy housewife beans

Dwarf Bush Beans

Dwarf Bush beans are another easy bean to grow if you have a long narrow bed or tight space.  I prefer varieties such as Borlotti and Snap Beans.  Borlotti is usually dried for cooking, and Snap beans are better eaten as green beans as the seeds are quite small.

Borlotti beans

Borlotti beans

 

Snap Beans

Snap Beans

Bush beans are planted in a similar way to climbing beans except they are spaced further apart.  Make sure the danger of frost has past as freezing will kill the seedlings.  I plant these beans in well composted soil, about 20cm apart and about 30-40 cm between rows.

Dwarf beans in rows

Dwarf beans in rows

Plant double the depth of the seed (about 2.5 cm or 1 inch).  Backfill the furrow and pat gently and water well.  Don’t water for the first few days to prevent seed rot.  The seedlings should emerge between 7-10 days and the bushes will grow about 50 cm (20 inches) height.  You can start to harvest after 8-10 weeks and pick regularly for more beans.  They are an annual so pull the plant and compost it after the beans stop developing.

The bushes rarely need support.  Keep the soil moist and to prevent them from drying during Summer mulch the soil well with sugar cane mulch or pea straw once the first true leaves appear.  If you have don’t have much room in your patch, dwarf bush beans love to grow in containers as long as you keep the potting mix moist.

Pests

Some seasons I have found that white fly is attracted to the climbing beans.  To get rid of these little sap suckers, I spray with eco-oil mixed as directed, before the white fly takes over your bean patch.  This pest will stunt the growth of your beans and reduce flowering if you let them take over.  Aphids can also be an issue if the plants are weak.  I use eco-oil because it is an organic spray that is allowed in organic systems.

Eco_oil_1ltr

However if you keep you bean stalks well watered, mulched, and give them a fortnightly application of Seasol or Worm Wee Tea, then the plants stay much healthier and are resistant to most pests.  Plus healthy plants will reward you with a bumper harvest.

Get Planting!

So now you know how to plant beans, there’s really no excuse not to plant a few in your veggie patch this summer.  They are just that easy to grow and reward you over and over again.  In Melbourne it’s best to get your beans in the ground from mid September to late December.

Don’t forget to let a few pods dry out and save the seeds for next season!  Store over winter in an airtight jar.

LIKE WHAT YOU'VE READ OR HEARD?
If so, please join thousands of others who receive exclusive weekly online recaps & tips, and get a FREE COPY of my eBook, The Greening of Gavin - My First Year of Living Sustainably.

Will this article help someone you know? If so help them out by sharing now!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket

Related

Filed Under: Gardening, vegetables

← TGoG 125 – 22 Things You Should Start Adding to Your Compost Bin Our Beautiful Chooks →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Angela says

    September 18, 2015 at 07:32

    Yup I planted my beans last weekend. So hopefully I’ll get lots to eat and preserve for the winter. They re great for adding to slow cooker dishes. I just love them yummy

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      September 18, 2015 at 15:28

      Well done Angela. As we don’t have a pressure canner, we will blanch and freeze our excess green beans. We love them in stir fry dishes as well.

      Reply
  2. Cath Armstrong says

    September 18, 2015 at 11:21

    Timely post Gavin, I put my Lazy Housewife beans in a couple of weeks ago, and have just planted out the bush beans. They’re my type of veggie, low maintenance and prolific producer 🙂 Oh, and they’re delicious too!

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      September 18, 2015 at 15:26

      Did the Lazy Housewife bean appear yet? Should be peeking through by now.

      Reply
  3. Lynda D says

    September 18, 2015 at 13:14

    I’d better get to it this weekend.

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      September 18, 2015 at 15:25

      You’ve got a while yet Lynda, but the sooner you get your beans in, the sooner you will be munching on them! 😉

      Reply

Comments build lively communities. Let me know your thoughts, but keep it clean and green! Spam is removed instantly.Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search This Blog

Follow my work

About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

Delve Into the Archives

Visit Our Online Simple Living Shop

Little Green Workshops

Latest Podcast Episode

Subscribe on iTunes

Top Posts & Pages

Black Aphids On Garlic
Broad Bean Rust
How To Remove Scaly Leg Mites
Repeat After Me. I Will Never Plant Potatoes With Pumpkins Again
Outdoor Solar Shower
Curing Olives
2 Fruit Marmalade
Building a VegTrug or Two
Broad Bean Seed Experiment Results
How To Plant Beans

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Local Green Hero

Categories

Favourite Daily Reads

Debt Free, Cashed Up, and Laughing

The Off-Grid Solar House

Greener Me

The Rogue Ginger

Little Eco Footprints

Down To Earth

Surviving the Suburbs

Little Green Cheese

Eight Acres

The Witches Kitchen

TGOG Readers On-line

Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

Carbon Offset website

Copyright - Gavin Webber © 2025