Unlike some varieties of beans, dwarf beans don’t require support.
But before you plant your tiny plants, you need to understand what they need to thrive.
Read on for some helpful tips on how to grow your dwarf plants. You will also find out about common pests and how to prune them.
Pole beans vs. Bush beans: Main difference
The main difference between pole beans and bush beans is their growth habit. The former needs support, while the latter doesn’t. If you plan to grow pole beans, you may want to wait until planting time before adding support.
This will help you get them started before they reach the support. But if you’re planning to grow bush beans, they do not need support.
When growing pole beans, you should choose a pot that is deep enough for your plants to grow. The ideal depth for a pole bean is eight to nine inches, while a bush bean needs about six to seven inches.
A larger pot also retains moisture longer. In addition, it should have drainage holes. The holes should be two to three inches wide.
Climbing beans require support but dwarf ones can grow without it. A wigwam or two eight-foot canes are a great solution. Alternatively, you can plant them in gaps or rows. If you’re planting in rows, it’s best to thin them out before they form a pod.
Once you plant the seeds, they should sprout in five to eight days. You can then support them with stakes and tie them to the poles or teepees. If you’re planning on growing pole beans, be sure to plant them after the last frost date.
Pruning dwarf beans
Climbing and dwarf beans are two very different types of bean plants. Climbing beans require more support than dwarf ones.
These types of beans are usually planted in rows and blocks. They should be spaced at least 15 cm apart and planted five centimeters deep. You can thin the plants after they are established if necessary.
Both varieties need support in order to grow well. You can stake them or tie them to a cane for support. A pea stick is also helpful. A stake placed along the main stem of the plant will prevent the beans from bolting. This type of support is especially useful for windy sites.
Pruning dwarf beans for support is an important aspect of growing beans. Beans are thirsty plants and need frequent watering to maintain a good growth habit.
Adding a layer of mulch containing mushroom compost or well-rotted manure will help to retain moisture in the soil.
If your plants are grown in containers, you should also consider covering them with a weed-suppressing membrane. You should also be aware of weeds that may damage your plant’s pods.
The best time to harvest French beans is from mid-summer to early autumn. However, if you are growing French beans in a pot, they will continue to crop for a few weeks.
French beans are a wonderful alternative to the stringy, clumpy type. The small, compact habit of this type makes them easy to grow in pots and containers. They also tend to survive dry conditions better than other crops.
They also help your soil stay healthier after cropping because they accumulate nitrogen on the roots. A single crop of these types will only produce a few beans, but repeat sowings will provide a summer-long supply.
Pole beans need support
If you have trouble getting your plants to grow, you may be wondering whether you should try to grow pole beans instead of dwarf varieties.
Pole beans grow on trellises or a pole. They prefer a trellis as a support system and can be planted in two-row plantings. Once they grow, thin them out to the remaining space. Once they’re established, water them well.
Pests that affect dwarf beans
Bean leafhoppers are a significant pest that feeds on the plant’s cell sap. Affected plants will exhibit a bronzy appearance and eventually wither. The insect can be effectively controlled by applying sulfur dusting at a rate of 20 to 25 kg/ha.
Good cultural practices can also help control bean leaf hoppers, including tilling to destroy overwintering insects and rotating crops to confuse them.
Leafminers are another pest to watch for. These pests can cause damage to your plants during the later part of the growing season. Infested leaves may have brown necrotic spots, which is the result of maggots feeding between the upper and lower leaf surfaces.
Infested leaves may also develop black or yellow spots, indicating the presence of leafminer damage.
Spring bean weevil is another insect to be aware of. This pest can cause severe damage to your plants, especially if they are small. It can also damage the roots. The larvae feed on the root nodules.
Infested plants can be treated with a spray at the first sign of damage, repeated every seven to ten days.
Winter beans are also susceptible to weevil attacks, but they are already mature. Therefore, spray treatment is only necessary when the pest pressure is excessive or the growth of your plants is slowed.
Bacterial brown spot is a type of plant disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae. It causes small, water-soaked spots to turn red-brown, and the spots center may turn grey. The fungus can also infect the pods and seeds.
Watering dwarf beans
Dwarf beans are an excellent choice for coastal gardens. They grow to knee-high and are tolerant of wind better than climbing varieties.
These tender, mild beans are perfect for seasoning. To get started, tie the young plants to canes.
You can also grow them on short sticks. Regardless, of how you plan on using them, water them regularly.
To ensure that your dwarf bean plants grow healthy and yield well, remember to water them regularly. If the soil is too wet, it may not sprout.
You should never overwater them. If you plant them too early, they may rot before they germinate.
Also, don’t plant them in compacted or hard soil. Dwarf beans grow well in containers and can be grown in tight spaces. Once they’re fully grown, they should be stored in a cool, dry area out of the reach of children.
Harvesting supported Dwarf beans: Summary
Dwarf beans grow to be 20 to 25 cm tall. You should be able to harvest them in 7 to 10 weeks.
For an extra-sweet harvest, pick the beans often. They’ll be ready to pick when they’re about three or four inches long and are visibly plump. In addition to being delicious, they’re also very easy to grow.
You can transplant them in pots or broadcast them over the garden.
As a rule, beans don’t need a lot of fertilizer. A light dose mixed into the top two to three inches of soil the day before planting is sufficient for most garden soils.
You can also use an equivalent amount of nonchemical fertilizers such as well-rotted manure or compost, or even cottonseed meal.