BEANS (FRENCH CLIMBING)

Climbing French Beans: Blauhilde
Phaseolus vulgaris
Approx. 4500-5500 seeds per kilogram
Climbing French beans crop over a long period giving you many weeks of picking.
The pods have that marvellous snap quality and the flavour is exquisite. There is a wide variation in colour. We offer green, purple, yellow and the mottled red and green of the Barlotto bean which is sometimes known as Firetongue.

Blauhilde is a deep purple variety with long, oval pods. It is high yielding and the pods stay beautifully tender even when quite large. They are normally grown outside but can be grown undercover.

How to grow:
Sow the seed directly into growing site in May. Sow 2 seeds, 5cm deep and 20cm apart. If both germinate, thin them leaving the strongest seedling. We have found that a small windbreak around the growing site – just 30–45cm high – really helps them get established. They do not like acidic soils and we tend to raise the pH where French beans are to be grown in the rotation.
You can also start them off in pots or modules undercover from April and this can be useful to fill in any gaps in your direct sown rows.
They need supports. Climbing French beans are great for growing up wigwams, canes, strings, or netting.
White or purple flowers give way to the young beans. Allow to grow until the pods are about 12cm and harvest July onwards. Keep picking and try not to let the pods get too plump as they tend to go stringy. Succession planting will give you a continual supply all Summer long.
Pests and diseases:
Slugs can be a problem when the seedlings are small. Use an environmentally friendly slug killer if necessary.
How to cook:
The simplest way to enjoy your French beans fresh from the garden is to steam them until just tender.
They are also essential in a Minestrone soup and Niçoise salad or baked in the oven with onions and tomatoes in a Greek style.