Sowing dates, regional timing, and climbing vs dwarf variety picks for growing French beans successfully across the UK.
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Sowing dates and growing advice verified against RHS guidance by the SoilCommander Growing Team.
Sowing & Planting Dates
| Method | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors (pots) | Late April – mid-May | 5cm deep, one per pot; 18–21°C |
| Transplant outdoors | Late May – early June | After last frost; soil 12°C+; dwarf 15cm apart, climbers 20–25cm |
| Direct sow outdoors | Mid-May – mid-June | Soil reliably warm; cover with fleece if cold nights forecast |
| Harvest begins | July (indoor-started) / Aug (direct) | Pick at 10–15cm every 2–3 days |
Dwarf vs Climbing
- Dwarf/bush varieties (e.g. The Prince, Safari): 45–60cm, no support, faster harvest (50–55 days), better for exposed northern gardens
- Climbing varieties (e.g. Cobra, Blue Lake): 1.5–2m, need cane support, heavier yields over longer season, ideal for small gardens using vertical space
Browse all sowing dates in the UK vegetable planting calendar · Explore all UK vegetable growing guides
Relevant next steps
Plan The Timing Before You Sow
Use the planting window with a planner, seed-starting setup, and the full calendar so dates stay practical for your garden.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.