Beans are among the most productive crops for UK gardens — but timing is everything. Runner, French, and broad beans each have their own sowing window. Get it right and you'll harvest from May right through to October.
Last updated 4 July 2026
Sowing dates and growing advice verified against RHS guidance by the SoilCommander Growing Team.
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Bean Planting Calendar
| Bean Type | Sow / Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Broad beans (autumn) | October – November | May – July |
| Broad beans (spring) | February – April | July – August |
| French beans | Late May – June (direct); April–May (indoors) | July – September |
| Runner beans | Late May – June (direct); April–May (indoors) | July – October |
⚠ Key distinction: Broad beans are frost-tolerant. Runner and French beans are frost-tender — never plant out until after your last frost date.
Regional Planting Notes
Runner beans: the RHS gives mid-May outdoor sowing for southern England once soil hits 12°C, early June for the north, and recommends indoor sowing for Scotland and other colder areas to get a longer season. Broad beans: autumn and February sowings suit "milder parts of the UK or very sheltered sites" (RHS) — in Scotland and harder-frost regions, stick to the March–May spring window instead.
Key Growing Tips
- Succession sow French and runner beans every 2–3 weeks from late May to early July
- Water during flowering — drought causes runner bean flowers to drop
- Pinch out broad bean tips once first pods appear to deter blackfly
- Install supports before planting — runner and climbing French beans reach 2–3m
Best Bean Varieties by Type
- Aquadulce Claudia (broad bean, AGM) — the RHS-recommended choice for autumn sowing and overwintering; hardiest of the widely available cultivars.
- Enorma – Elite (runner bean, AGM) — crops heavily with slender pods up to 50cm long.
- Cobra (French bean, climbing, AGM) — heavy crop of tasty, stringless beans over a long period.
Common Bean Timing Mistakes
- Sowing runner or French beans before the soil reliably reaches 12°C — both rot or fail to germinate in cold, wet ground; wait for the mid-May (south) / early June (north) window rather than a calendar date alone.
- Leaving young French and runner bean plants unprotected outdoors — slugs target seedlings; sowing indoors first gives some protection until plants are established.
- Autumn-sowing a non-hardy broad bean variety — only hardy cultivars like Aquadulce Claudia reliably survive a UK winter outdoors.
- Pulling up whole broad bean plants at the end of harvest — cut the haulm at ground level and leave the nitrogen-fixing roots in place to enrich the soil for the next crop.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to plant runner beans in the UK?
Plant outdoors once soil reaches 12°C — around mid-May in southern England, early June in the north. In Scotland and other colder areas, sowing indoors April–May and planting out later gives a longer season than waiting for outdoor soil temperatures. Source: RHS runner beans grow-your-own guide.
Can I sow broad beans in autumn?
Yes — autumn sowing (October–November) produces the earliest and most robust crops. Use Aquadulce Claudia. In very cold areas, spring sowing (February–April) is more reliable.
When should I sow French beans in the UK?
Sow indoors from late April, or direct outdoors late May to early June once the soil has warmed — French beans rot in cold, wet soil. Harvest runs mid-summer through early autumn.
Do climbing beans need support in place before planting?
Yes — install canes, netting or a wigwam before sowing or planting out. Runner and climbing French beans can reach 2–3m, and retrofitting supports around established plants risks damaging roots and stems.
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