🌱 How to Grow French Beans from Seeds

Common Names:

• Hindi: फ्रेंच बीन्स / सेम (French Beans / Sem)

• Tamil: பீன்ஸ் (Beans)

• Telugu: బీన్స్ (Beans)

• Malayalam: പയർ (Payar)

• Kannada: ಬೀನ್ಸ್ (Beans)

• English: French Beans / Snap Beans / String Beans

• Botanical name: Phaseolus vulgaris

1. Choose the Right Season

• Warm-season crop

• Best time to sow: February to May and August to October

• Avoid heavy frost or extreme heat (above 35°C)

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Well-drained loamy or sandy loam soil

• pH Level: Neutral to slightly acidic (6.0–7.0)

• Enrich soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting

• Soil should be loose and fertile

3. Sow the Seeds

• Sow seeds directly in garden or container

• Depth: Plant seeds 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 4 cm) deep

• Spacing: Space seeds 3–4 inches apart in rows, rows 18–24 inches apart

• Water lightly after sowing

4. Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging

• Water every 2–3 days, more often during dry spells

• Mulching helps retain moisture and prevent weeds

5. Germination

• Seeds germinate within 7–14 days

• Thin seedlings if crowded, maintaining 6–8 inches between plants

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Requires full sun: 6–8 hours daily

• Grows best in temperatures between 18°C to 30°C

• Provide support such as trellis or stakes for climbing varieties

7. Fertilization

• Add compost every 3 weeks or use balanced organic fertilizer

• Avoid excessive nitrogen; promotes leaf growth over beans

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Aphids, bean beetles, leaf miners

• Use neem oil spray or insecticidal soap every 10–15 days

• Remove affected leaves and maintain clean garden area

9. Harvesting

• Ready to harvest in 50–60 days

• Pick pods when young, tender, and before seeds inside fully mature

• Frequent harvesting encourages more pods

10. Regrow Tip

• Save seeds from fully mature pods

• Dry seeds well before storage

• Plant fresh seeds each season for best yields

🌿 Health Benefits of French Beans

• Low in calories, high in dietary fiber

• Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like iron and magnesium

• Supports heart health, digestion, and bone strength

• Contains antioxidants to help reduce inflammation