Growing French Beans

French beans are traditional bush bean cultivated variety of common bean plant botanically known as Phaseolus vulgaris, belonging to the family Fabaceae (Leguminous plants). Instead of actual beans (seeds), the whole unripe green fruit (pod) is eaten as a vegetable. Belonging to the category of ‘Green beans’ that are known for the fleshiness, flavor, or sweetness of their pods; the French bean pods are long, thin, tender & crispy.

Beans on your plate: French beans are eaten all around the world, and are marketed canned, frozen, and fresh. They are often steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or baked in casseroles. This variety, in particular, is savored as green beans in India. Most of the Indian households make it as a dry vegetable.

Nutritional value: French beans are high-energy, low-calorie diet food. The bean pods are rich in proteins & dietary fiber content. Also, French beans are an excellent source of copper, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, Vitamin B1, chromium, choline, Vitamin A, niacin, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin C, E & K.

French Beans Growing tips:
French beans can be grown all through the year. This sun-loving Bush can be grown in raised beds as well as in containers that should be kept under open sunlight. You can grow French beans by direct seed sowing in containers or beds. All you need to do is plant them with 1 x 1 ft spacing between plants on raised beds. The single plant should be grown in regular 8-12 inch pot.

Sow French bean seeds in well-drained soil rich in added organic manure like compost or vermicompost.

Water your potted French bean plant every day in summer & every alternate day in winter. Water at the soil near the plant. Use a watering can, and make sure that the plants get water in the form of the shower & not by a single flow. You can also make provision for watering by drip irrigation system on your raised beds.
French bean plant will start flowering from the second month.

You can start harvesting fresh French bean pods after 45 to 50 days of seed sowing. The harvesting season can continue for next three months.

Check out the seeds: French beans.