Bean Growing Masterclass: Grow Super-Fast Green Beans

Beautiful beans! In this week's episode Ben walks us through all things Bean: How to start them, what to grow no matter what your space or whereabouts in the world you live, how to care for them, when to harvest them, how to store them... you get the picture. Welcome to our Bean Growing Masterclass!
If you just can't get enough of those beans, watch this next:
Perfect Beans every Time
• Grow Perfect Beans Eve...
Here's our video on bean supports:
• 5 Best Bean Poles, Fra...
If your'e interested in canning your beans or home grow produce, this is useful:
Waterbath Canning Step By Step
• Water Bath Canning Ste...
And enjoy a no-obligation, completely free trial of the Garden Planner here:
www.GrowVeg.com/planner
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If you've noticed any pests or beneficial insects in your garden lately please report them to us at BigBugHunt.com

[@Steve197201]

That clip at 14:03 of the ladybug eating the aphids was so satisfying. I had to watch it again.

[@youwhogirl7702]

I love growing beans, and every year I save some for next years planting. Nothing better than sauntering through the garden nibbling on asparagus, beans and carrots! So enjoy your videos.

[@codycowell6211]

I live in California & my zone is 9. Can green beans survive in summer?

[@roddyappadoo8150]

Hello. Its the first time I've grown French beans. They are about 6- 7 weeks now. They are healthy plants but I can't see any blooms yet. What should I do? Any advice please

[@GrowVeg]

I expect it’s still just too early for them to flower. They will do so - just need to give it a few more weeks that’s all.

[@GrowVeg]

Beans may survive the Californian heat, but you’ll need to keep them well wateredz

[@roddyappadoo8150]

I'm from mauritius, and it's the start of cold season here. But the temperature doesn't drop too low. Normally it can be around 19-24 degrees Celsius. Do you think the bean plants will strive?

[@olgacaballero1998]

I love to ferment my beans in a jar firmly stuffed with salty water, garlic, cayenne pepper, black pepper, carrots, celery and whatever else I feel like adding to it. It goes great with morning eggs 😋

[@GrowVeg]

Yum! :-)

[@andyfarmer759]

My Grandad used to only grow runner beans and because of how many he planted we would spend whole days picking them. We took them home by the duffel bag full. To say I got really fed up with runner beans, would be an understatement. I really do love green beans though and Blue Lake has been my favorite for many years.

[@Idontwantachannel67]

Ive never had a runner bean, do they taste similar to green beans? We get super hot summers so ive never quite got the timing right for runners. Love their red flowers 😅 will try again one day. String beans both pole and bush grow very well though, and I pressure can them by the quarts. I think they’re one of the best foods, protein and green veggie all in one. Eating seasonally is challenging at first to get used to and you definitely get sick of eating peas or asparagus or tomatoes or green beans or squash, but by the end of the day the next crop is starting and you can either share, can or freeze most of the over abundance. My favorite green bean varieties for bush is Contender for green and Yellow wax. For pole it’s Trionfo violetto and Spanish Musica (wide beans Also a wide pole called Oro aka gold or something similar named. It has great flavor when cooked.

[@andyfarmer759]

@@Idontwantachannel67 No runners have a stronger flavour and the texture is quite different. I am limited on both growing and storage space, hence I only grow green or french beans every year. Then every third year add in a few runners. I was going to do a few borlotto beans this year but my seeds were a bit old and did not germinate. New seed is already on next years list. I will search through my dwarf beans for some variety this year.

[@GrowVeg]

Runner beans can be outrageously prolific, agreed! :-)

[@Idontwantachannel67]

@@andyfarmer759 Fascinating! I had no idea they taste different from string beans. Will definitely try again sooner than later. Borlotto beans are delicious 😋 I managed to self save some seeds and am growing them every year now. They’re especially delicious when dried and used in soups.

[@andyfarmer759]

@@GrowVeg I think most beans can be if you give them the right conditions. Grandad used to put up 2 x 20 foot "A" frames, so he had like 80 feet of runner beans. Granted we were a big family but even so!

[@stevenjohns7017]

Virtually came in from the garden after planting beans and this video dropped! Trying butter beans this year for the first time.

[@GrowVeg]

Great stuff! :-)

[@myrustygarden]

I have loads of dwarf beans in hanging baskets and I just harvest an entire plant at a time. I also have a large bean cave made with cattle planet and old bed posts. Great video as always Ben and Daisy 👍, Ali 👍🇨🇦

[@anonet78]

Iv got loads as well, Last year i put African marigolds in my hanging baskets but i didn't know they got that big 😁my neighbour thought it was funny.

[@flowerfarmarts]

How funny! I just planted my beans today, and later I caught your video. I'm growing soup beans which is a mix of burgandy, red, and yellow Indian and cattle beans.

[@sparkstechnology]

Started a small veg garden this spring after discovering your videos, I've built two raised beds with an arch joining them together. Growing blue lake French beans on one side and sugar snap peas on the other. It's amazing how quickly everything is growing. I plan to do purple and yellow French beans next year. As this year is our first attempt so we can learn and improve next year. Your garden planner has helped alot, it's so full of information.

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased to read this. I’m sure you’ll do a fantastic job. Happy gardening!

[@lynnecampen9267]

Ben- you’re a star. I could watch your informative videos for hours. You should be on Gardeners World.

[@chompers11]

Its a good day when I have a new growveg video I'm saving for later like a tasty treat.

[@wellersonoliveira5334]

Beautiful presentation, relaxing voice, lush green garden. Ya content is amazin' sir ❤

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers so much!

[@InspirationSessions]

Another classic… Ben I think we need to harness your infectious enthusiasm and sunny disposition in UK public life - ever considered a side-hustle in London Underground announcements, TV weather forecasts, NHS hold music voiceovers etc? 😂 Love your enlightened attitude to black bean aphids in this video, too - I am squishing ants let alone aphids at this stage, so help me god, having had ruinous luck with these rascals in previous years but I’m going full-court this year with companion plants, water sprays and every other organic/nature-based management technique I can find. I WILL PREVAIL!

[@GrowVeg]

You absolutely shall prevail! (And I'd love a side-hustle doing the London Underground announcements - I reckon you could have a LOT of fun with that!). :-)

[@InspirationSessions]

@@GrowVeg 'The next station is High Barnet... please mind the gap and make sure you have all your valuables... also it's mid-May and if you haven't already direct-sown your beetroot, there's still time...'

[@teresaevans4468]

I pickled beans using your recipe last year. They were delicious. The chillies on top was a genius idea. Thank you.

[@anonet78]

Put some demon chilies in it they are hot hot hot.

[@paulamewies4798]

I haven't planted beans but I've had great results with sweet peas from seed for 3 years so I'm definatley giving them a go. Thank you from South Wales 🥒🥒🥒

[@terrysmallwood7373]

My father used to plant pole beams in sweet corn rows for nature support!

[@DanJonesShow]

I love this channel! I am growing two types of green beans for the first time ever this year and they are exploding in my first raised bed! I really enjoy this channel so much, so relaxing and fun.

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you're getting such a good result with your beans already - top job! :-)

[@Agmzjordana]

Perfect timing, my beans are a week away from going into the garden and already have got my rose fence to support them!!

[@heartemisart700]

Love Scarlet runner! Scorpio broadbean looking great this year! Excellent tips, sir! Thank you!

[@Panda-or2cs]

Just planted out my dwarf French beans, I’ve been following your tips from older videos, thanks you! 🙌🙌

[@JV-dx5uv]

Never going to grow beans, but still watching the video. You are awesome!

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers so much! 🫘

[@ArtheniaPendragon]

I have some bush beans in my raised bed! I love growing them, but this is the first time I've tried growing them in a raised bed

[@lesliekendall5668]

"Ben at school". But which one was you? 😆

[@MANNY100123]

I love beans! Am growing some Christmas Lima beans as well as Royal Burgundy and Dragon's tongue. :)

[@NegaHumanX]

Bush beans have been the most reliable crop for my garden. I started them the first year I moved into my current place and they always manage to do ok. The ones I grow taste a lot better than the store-bought and all I did was boil them (and add some butter). I've planted about 6 of them and I hope I can get a decent crop from that.

[@SerialSpinner-ss]

Thanks for this enthusiastic lesson in growing beans! My grandkids favorite is dill bean pickles. Super easy and the beans can be mixed with cucumbers in the same jar when pickling.

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds lovely! :-)

[@martijn7416]

Heey, thank you for your positivity, greetz from the Nederlands ❤

[@vanessaeden8174]

Last week sowed my runner beans and butter beans in root trainers. Already germinating in unheated greenhouse. Butter beans are the size of a 50p when harvested.

[@GrowVeg]

Never grown butter beans - should definitely add that to my wish list! :-)

[@vanessaeden8174]

@@GrowVeg I buy mine from Seeds of Italy. 100% germination.

[@mkxv]

Starting my second crop of bush beans today ❤❤🎉🎉

[@richardharris5336]

I have just moved house and have been desperate to grow something in our first garden, but we are very behind with everything house and garden related. A couple of days ago a neighbour stopped to say hello and asked how we were settling in, then gifted us some young runner bean plants. How wholesome! We have some dwarf french beans just planted out as well. We have a couple of other climbing varieties but I'm not sure about space / if we've left it too late. We love your videos, thank you so much for sharing all your garden knowledge!

[@GrowVeg]

What a lovely neighbour! I hope you get a superb bean harvest this summer. :-)

[@lorainemcguire5795]

Thanks for a very valued video ben my dwarf French beans are just about ready to go out so ver pleased to have seen this ❤

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi Ben, your dog is absolutely gorgeous ❤ always a pleasure watching your videos. Plenty of useful information on growing plants & sowing seeds too. Thanks for sharing and take care 😊

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Christine - it's really lovely to have you watching too. :-)

[@michaelwalker2091]

Ben, if you like dried beans, you could try what my great-grandma called “leather britches”. You pick your beans, break them (or leave them whole), string/thread them on a line, and leave them to dry. When you are ready to eat them, you can put them in a pot and the water will “plump” them up again. We plant rattlesnake green beans and Christmas Lima beans (we call them butter beans).

[@sandioney4761]

Any green bean dries well like that & my family would run me out of the family if holidays came around & no dried beans!:)) Glad you like them too

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like a fab idea Michael - will have to give this a try. :-)

[@teemmm538]

I feel like good care of bean is a commitment you have to be willing to make and if you love them... it's an easy commitment to make❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂❤❤❤❤

[@Kitchenlabofficial]

Beautiful and hard working things drawing

[@bublhed]

I’m growing Asian long beans and some wax beans. Lots of helpful info - going on to watching your video about canning beans!

[@attackhedgehogs]

I've planted Borlotto beans and spotted my first pods this morning!

[@GrowVeg]

Awesome! :-)

[@philomenabrabazonobroin5236]

Best description of the different beans I’ve found

[@jackieco9615]

I've been growing Runner Beans for several years as my family and I love them. This year I have sown some Scarlet Emperor runner beans and some Cobra French beans. Looking forward to seeing them grow 🙂

[@bryonygrealish6663]

I love Black Knight Runner Beans. Vibrant red flowers, dark purple pods, and pink and purple beans inside. Stunning all the way around!

[@teresagibson2974]

I'm growing runner beans for the first time, thank you for the video, I need all the encouragement.

[@mrsmurphy1836]

Love your Content and your sweet dog!

[@CWorgen5732]

Picking more makes them grow more?! That explains the entire summer of 2022 😂

[@CanadianChick1000]

Beans and tomatoes are my main crops in my little community plot. Fortex and Seychelles are my favourites, but this year I couldn’t get Fortex so I’m giving space to Matilda and Purple Peacock on the poles and also putting in some bush beans - royalty purple and gold rush. I started some Ferrari on my balcony, but they’ve not germinated so either they’re old or the crows got them 😂

[@GrowVeg]

Some lovely varieties there!

[@monicaburton7230]

I loved this video! I'm excited to plant more bean seeds and an arch between my two raised beds. Lots of room left to fill.

[@oceansoul3694]

Hi Ben, great video and I love your enthusiasm! I'm growing Cherokee Trail of Tears pole beans; Pinto beans for drying; Blue Lake and Cherokee Yellow Wax pole beans, and Princess Diana runner beans...those brilliant red/orange flowers are just exquisite. Lovely video, thanks as always~

[@AllAboutHealthandFitness33]

Great Video a masterclass in gardening techniques.

[@JodieWaters-nx8jp]

Beans are my favorite! We eat so many beans, often right off the plant before they even get into the house! I like to pickle them! Love some pickled beans 😋

[@Paravetje]

Lovely, I sowed my climbing beans (french beans) outside last evening after soaking them since morning. I also have some bush beans (kidney beans) for drying and storing but I haven't planted them yet, still working on preparing more raised garden beds. It's been really warm here in Sweden recently, and very dry.

[@Detour4it]

Excellent bean class!

[@angelaphan3346]

My first year growing (last year) I planted just 3 blue lake pole beans and I kid you not- at the peak I was harvesting a kilo a day. I got so tired of beans & didn’t freeze enough for the winter 😓 will plan on pickling & freezing more this year!

[@donnag7095]

I like the idea of the compost pit/trench, never thought about that. Thanks for the pest control information, very helpful. Wonderful useful information which is reason I follow all your youtube post.

[@katipohl2431]

Hi from Northern Germany and I am already harvesting Faba beans which I planted in a polytunnel in October.

[@GrowVeg]

Nice work! :-)

[@fjalar4856]

Thank you Ben! Lovely video, so useful. This year I grow blauwschokker, alderman, carminat, norli and painted lady.

[@valoriegriego5212]

Howdy, Ben and cute Rosie! 👋 As usual, youade a great tutorial! I love green beans!😋 I have found a bean that produces through our hot Central Texas summers...asparagus or yard long beans. This year we are moving, so I didn't plant my usual pole beans. I'm growing Blue Lake bush beans. They have been producing for about a month now. I freeze beans for the winter...vacuum sealed they taste like you just picked them.😋 This year, I'm going to try pickled green beans. 👩🏾‍🍳

[@GrowVeg]

I bet the pickled green beans will be sublime! :-)

[@thesqueedler]

We like Scarlet Runners because we have very cool summers and they will set fruit at 65F. They are a centuries old heirloom that was grown on the Thomas Jefferson estate , Monticello. We do have to fight off slugs, snails and earwigs though.

[@nedkelly5866]

Don't try and make runner beans grow clockwise up canes/poles... They all grow anticlockwise.

[@chompers11]

Ive noticed this with a bunch of climbers

[@vanessaeden8174]

Thanks for the tip. As Michael Cane, would say, not a lotta people know that😂

[@GrowVeg]

I had no idea! Thanks for sharing this. 😀

[@callmeMsT]

I grow beans up sunflower stalks. It's quite pretty

[@Nocturnal_Spectre]

Magnificent and helpful video👍👏

[@mantya4966]

Love your videos,they're so heart warming

[@louiseherbild4180]

Trying Greek Gigantic this year.. along with the usual french variety.. the last is a favorite in the not so reliable Danish summers😜

[@eileensecrest2185]

In the US. Im growing heirloom beans that I grow every year to keep producing new beans for sowing next year. They are yellow pole beans and they come up very quickly and grow rapidly. Ive been looking at trellis ideas because I think Id like to grow a patch of them to eat. Right now I grow them on my deck in pots because I just want to keep the seeds going, not eat them.

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

Planting beans in my garden, thank you for the tips.

[@MrPaulhopkins]

Lovely video. It's bean great.

[@lenabruhl7284]

Aaaah, aphits 🤣 Love it!

[@curtisfoster540]

Just a FANTASTIC video once again. Many thanks! (Love this channel!)

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers for watching! :-)

[@RawLondonGardener]

Lovely stuff

[@JohannaVeerenhuis]

Hahaha, and I thought I was an alliteration nerd… 😜😂 But, that was a terrific teepee tip! I was about to skip beans this year, but a little teepee I can do, thank you!

[@GrowVeg]

Great you'll be giving them a go - fab stuff! :-)

[@JohannaVeerenhuis]

@@GrowVeg They’re soaking now and will go out tomorrow! 💪

[@mahereentazree8693]

Great video 😊

[@HOODIEHUSTLE]

Great info. Very well thought out video. Lots of wisdom. Good stuff, bro.

[@TerribleTim68]

Here in the greater Seattle area, I've had a terrible time getting my beans started this season. The slugs are devastating them. I had to reset in trays in the greenhouse to hopefully get them going, and then hope they transplant well. It's been challenging this year. 😕

[@CC-.-.-.-.]

@TerribleTim68 Have you tried putting a little beer in plastic disposable containers nestled in the soil among your plantings? To me, it seems that they gravitate to the beer. You may have to strain the slugs out a couple of times a day for the first week or two. I won't use slug bait because I have a cat.

[@TerribleTim68]

@@CC-.-.-.-. I don't drink so I don't generally have beer around.

[@GrowVeg]

I feel your pain. Some of mine got mown down by slugs and needed replanting.

[@gardeningwithtash2485]

I'm growing wax and purple beans this year.

[@nitelite78]

I'm growing Cobra and Sunshine which is a yellow climbing bean. I haven't grown a yellow variety before and I want to grow some for the contrast on the dinner plate against the green Cobra.

[@alexmorgan9]

First time growing Cherokee Yellow Wax this year

[@beckymartinez9926]

I’m growing Blue Lake, Rattlesnake, Gold Rush, and Kentucky Blue. Stared picking them last week. Texas 8a

[@dustyflats3832]

I noticed the Japanese Beetles attack climbing beans, but not bush. I’m running out of room and I just started😂 Thanks for the tip on climbers to top them if I grow them again. Seriously though we get a ton of JBs with climbers. Haven’t seen them yet on roses and keep thinking if we could be so lucky to not be invaded this year-Haha.

[@GrowVeg]

Hope you evade detection this year!

[@Miwako_vklolita]

i love your videos. i grow black beans and pigeon peas since theyre from Puerto Rico( my home) so it always feels like im back home(living in Florida now). im also trying yulong beans in red, and sugar snap peas for the first time this year :)

[@GrowVeg]

Ooh, yulong beans - that would be amazing to try. :-)

[@looneygardener]

I make dilly, garlic bean pickles. I use a long slim purple pole bean, which makes a lovely, tasty stir stick for savory cocktails like a Bloody Mary.

[@GrowVeg]

What a fab idea! :-)

[@don5125]

Love rosey😂❤️

[@janw491]

Green or yellow bush beans, scarlet runners I grow them in succession because I glut out for as long as possible cos I don’t like canned or frozen. Going to have to try pickled this year

[@sanetracy]

I truly love your videos, so educational. the background music does diminish the enjoyment.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for the feedback. We'll bear this in mind for future videos. :-)

[@gardentogrill970]

Ive gonna try some pink runner beans this year. Just need to get over my #fopo (fear of planting out)

[@cherylhowker1792]

This year I’m growing 2 different types of bush bean and a climbing one- think it’s called snake bean… not sure but it’s cream and brown beans look cool and they were huge. The smaller ones have got some started and then gonna see what room is left and add some extras once I know

[@byewhobayou8868]

I planted my usual pinto beans (pole) for my dry beans through the winter and renegades (bush) for fresh green beans. I’m also experimenting with a small patch of red kidney beans and a small patch of black beans. I’ve never grown them before and I’m experimenting to see if I want to give up space to grow them next year.

[@DownButNotOutYet]

Good morning Ben, lovely video as always, we like to grow - yellow beans, lazy housewife, French beans and for fun those purple ones but when we cook them they turn green in the pot :( regardless of that, I think beans and yellow squash is my favourite vegetables. We just freeze ours wat considering canning. Beans are so nourishing and a versatile vegetable. Thank you for the informative garden talk as always, do take care, happy days. Kind regards.

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, those purple beans do go green when cooked unfortunately - still tasty though. Happy gardening! :-)

[@adambarker3018]

It's a very good idea to plant some spares, the climbing French beans I put in last week have been hammered by the slugs. Luckily I had enough in reserve to replant a whole row this afternoon. Hopefully they survive or I'll have to start again!

[@GrowVeg]

Fingers crossed for this time round! :-)

[@AndreaDingbatt]

Thank you so much!! Im going to have to grow everything in containors,,due to the Patios in both front and back gardens,,, Just for this year though!! Any hints and tips for growing beans in containors please? TIA. Andrea and Critters. ...XxX....

[@GrowVeg]

I would say just keep them very well watered, as these can be thirsty plants. But they should do fine in containers, especially dwarf/bush beans, which may be easiest to grow like this.

[@nicolasykes6637]

I wasn’t planning on growing any beans, but I think you have just sold it to me. I have been very late this year in getting going as my garden has been water logged, so I have now planted everything, but I’ve cheated an bought two tomato plants, until my seedlings start to grow.

[@GrowVeg]

No harm in cheating just a little. :-)

[@Knit333]

I collect all kinds of plastic containers (the ones they sell grapes/cherry tomatoes in for example) to use as cloches for a lot of plants. To protect them from slugs/pigeons. Or when the nights are a bit to cold. Or I use them as a mini green houses. I always wondered if you could cut the beanplants on top of the tipi... now I know. Thanks.

[@GrowVeg]

Great use of those plastic containers. :-)

[@Hearts4Door]

My first year growing beans. I'm growing green, yellow, and purple bush beans. Would love to hear how to properly save beans for planting next year.

[@GrowVeg]

We'll be putting out a video on saving seeds later this summer. But, basically, just let the beans dry out on the vine then bring them indoors to finish drying off.

[@chereetate7869]

Love your videos! Do you have a link for your watering can?

[@peterrawlings3796]

Hi Ben have you ever tried growing butter beans I have for the last few years and they are fantastic if you haven't you should try them

[@GrowVeg]

Haven’t grown them yet, but you’ve convinced me to give them a try!

[@Detour4it]

Florida=shade cloth... lots of shade cloth. 😎

[@wendyreynolds2261]

Yard Long, Horticulture, Bush Limas, and Dragon Tongue, which we grow as green beans.

[@nancybaumgartner6774]

It really is a “pleasing” snap

[@youwhogirl7702]

Ben, you mentioned dehydrating beans and I never thought of doing that. Have you done it? I’d like to know how one would use them after? I dehydrate many herbs and parboil for freezing but this would save freezer space.

[@GrowVeg]

You would dry them on the plants themselves - until almost completely dry. Then lay them out in a single layer on trays and move to a dry position indoors to continue drying for another week or two. Then once fully dry, they can be popped into a lidded container and stored in a cool, dark, dry place until ready to use. To cook with them you need to soak them first. More here: naturallyella.com/how-to-cook-dried-beans/

[@mickdownes9265]

Great video! Could I ask what make are your modular seed trays? Where can I buy some? They look really hard wearing and have a useful finger hole in the bottom for pushing out the plants

[@GrowVeg]

They're really super hard wearing. They're from Containerwise: containerwise.co.uk/

[@pickone8142]

Blue lake pole and bush. Bush bean mountain half runner.

[@michaelneale7813]

Broad Beans , Peas , Runner Beans .

[@thenextpoetician6328]

This summer, I'll be using hydrogen peroxide for occasional weed control at 10%, dealing with root rot or mildew further diluted, and in the lowest concentration, soil food. Arches are the main garden project since I'd like to favor pole beans over bush beans for once.

[@Munchkinzi]

I seem to have some sneaky big bumbley bees....they fly to the back of the flower, nip it with their mandables and stick their proboscis in to get the nectar 😂 cheeky things....no pollination by the big ones then haha

[@GrowVeg]

This can be quite a common issue apparently!

[@lisajordan5087]

Firestorm and Moonlight as climbers this year and Annabelle dwarf beans....sooo many slugs this year though, its a real battle to keep them alive!

[@GrowVeg]

Hope you beat the slugs eventually!