One of the most striking and colorful beans we have seen, with incredible eating quality to match. The pods can be eaten at the green bean stage or left to mature into a silky, creamy cooked bean. An edible ornamental, the tidy bush plants are dripping with purple-striped pods. These long beans (approx. 6-8 inches / 16-20 cm) taste fantastic

SOWING:

Sow indoors: April - May

Sow outdoors: May - July

Season: Annual 

Harvest: July - September 

Environment: Full sun

Soil Type: Well-drained, rich, deep, light soil, 

Temperature: 60 - 70F (18- 20 C) Average Germ Time: 7 - 21 days 

Light Required: Yes 

Depth: 2 inches (5 cm)

Moisture: Keep soil slightly moist but not wet 

Plant Spacing: 18 inches (45 cm)

Sow dwarf bean seeds indoors from mid-April for transplanting later on, or direct sow outdoors from late May to July.

Indoors, sow bean seeds at a depth of 5 cm (2") in 7.5 cm (3") pots or trays of free-draining, seed sowing compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a plastic bag at a temperature of 12-25C (54-77F) until germination, which takes 7-10 days. Do not exclude light as this helps germination. Once germinated, grow on in cooler conditions until all risk of frost has passed and the dwarf French bean plants are large enough to be transplanted. Gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions over 7 - 10 days before planting French beans outdoors in rich fertile, well-drained soil in full sun with protection from strong winds.

Alternatively, direct sow dwarf beans outdoors when the soil has warmed. Sow 2 bean seeds per station at a depth of 5cm (2") and a distance of 23 cm (9") apart. Plant dwarf beans in rows that are 45cm (18") apart.