Which beans are easiest to grow?

Select easy beans, and you can't fail. Every year for the last 15, I have had the privilege and pleasure of mentoring new growers. I always encourage them to start with bush varieties: fast-growing, support-free and abundant, a handful of bush beans requires little effort from you, and they reward you with a big yield. Growies! You'll grow into an even greater grower with that easy start!

Are you looking for a bean to grow that's reliable even in strange weather? Contender is the one. They handle not just early frosts and blistering summer days better than most - I have them producing through temperatures ranging from 5°C to 35°C (41°F to 95°F)! Problems with the disease are less likely, meaning you should have little trouble as a beginner. You shouldn't have to wait long for 15cm straight pods, ideal for freezing.

Dwarf varieties, such as Mascotte, are ideal where space is at a premium. Mature plants typically reach only 40 cm and thrive in 20 cm pots on a balcony or terrace. I'd recommend this for those with limited space in urban settings. These erect plants provide a clear view of the pods, unhindered by foliage. From seed to harvest, it takes 55 days, continuously bearing pods for 6 weeks or more.

Steer clear of growing mistakes when planting beans. Don't overwater; wait until the soil has dried out slightly before watering again. Skip nitrogen fertilizers because beans make their own. If the temperatures rise above 90°F (32 °C), you'll want to provide afternoon shade. Over the last few years, I've used 30% shade cloth in heatwaves to prevent blossom drop.

Stretch your harvest. With succession planting, sow new bush bean seeds every 2 weeks until midsummer. This will provide you with a continuous harvest throughout the fall. In containers, replace spent plants with new seedlings. I keep 4-5 rounds of beans for nonstop use from midsummer until late October.

Read the full article: When to Plant Beans for a Bountiful Harvest