French Bean Sunshine Seeds

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French Bean Sunshine is a bright yellow-podded climbing bean, that produces high yields of 16cm long, straight pencil-podded beans. A very popular variety for veg box schemes. Offers some disease resistance.

A climbing variety - needs cane support whilst growing.

Average Packet Contents: 40 Seeds

How to Grow Sunshine French Beans from Seeds

Seed sowing

Sow the French Bean Seeds in 7.5cm pots or modular trays of multi-purpose compost under cover during late April or early May. Ensure the seeds are covered to a depth of 4cm. Apply water and cover the pots with glass or polythene until they have germinated, which can take around 7-10 days. Alternatively, sow seeds direct to their positions in late May or through June after all threat of frost has passed. Create a support structure from canes or ‘bean sticks’ and sow 2 seeds at the base of each support, which should be 30cm apart. Cover the seeds and water well.     

Growing in beds outdoors

Growing beds should be prepared well in advance incorporating plenty of organic matter. Climbing French beans need sturdy supports as they will grow to 180cm or more. For that reason they are not suitable for growing in containers. In small gardens, allotment plots or where a lesser supply of beans might be required, create a ’wigwam’ style support.

For long rows, create 2 sturdy end supports with intermediate uprights inserted into the ground at 30cm intervals and fixed at the top with string or canes. If growing a double row then allow 50cm spacing. Plants that have been grown under cover can be planted out individually to the base of supports after hardening off in June.

General aftercare

Keep the areas around the base of plants free from weeds and water the plants frequently especially as the seed pods are setting and swelling. Remove any leaves that might show signs of yellowing. 

Harvesting & storage

Pick the beans regularly to encourage more fresh new beans. Harvest them when they are young and tender and don’t allow them to become old and stringy. If picked regularly, you can continue to harvest right up to the first frost. If beans are left on the plant, this will encourage the plant to stop production. After picking, they will keep in a refrigerator for a few days but can also be blanched and frozen for up to 9 months.

Pest & diseases

Apply slug and snail deterrents such as beer traps, crushed egg shells or coarse grit around the base of each plant. Black fly can be particularly troublesome during the months of July and August so plan on planting companion plants such as marigolds, that will attract ladybirds and lacewing, which feed enthusiastically on these pests. You can also apply a jet of water direct to the insects when first seen but take care not to damage the flowers.