How many dwarf beans is enough?

[flowertot]

Hi was just wondering if any of you could give me some advice. Im growing dwarf beans for the first time this year. How many plants do you think I will need to feed a family of four? And at what intervals should I stagger the plantings?

[Snadger]

Well, put it this way I have sown three packets of different varieties along with a climber as well...........and thats just for me and OH!

It really depends on whether you like em, are prepared to freeze em and what space you have available.......

[lettucegrow!]

Good question, though. Not sure what the average production of one plant is. Grow as many as you can, they freeze well.
I'm going all out with Mangetout this year 'cos we love them and they are a bit pricey and so easy to grow.

[flowertot]

Ok Ive got 3 packets of different varieties plus a packet of runners, think I'll maybe stick the lot in and see how we go. I find I'm increasingly digging up bits of the garden to give over to the veggies so space should be fine. Am I right in thinking you get a bigger crop from the climber? Maybe I should inverst in a packet of those too.

[flowertot]

Oh and good plan with the mange tout, Ive got some sugar snaps growing up the wall of my blowaway/polytunnel and was just thinking I should have chucked in a load more of those!

[Two_Sheds]

Am I right in thinking you get a bigger crop from the climber?

Yes of course, because they're a bigger plant: you get quite a lot more from the same amount of soil.

Do you like kidney/dried beans? When you get sick of fresh ones, leave the rest to dry on the plants

[flowertot]

Ok off to the garden centre to purchase some climbing beans first thing! Any recommendations on variety? I do like Kidney beans but then I love french beans a lot...hmmmm drizzled with garlic oil a squeeze of lemon and sea salt yum. Cant wait to have my own fresh from the garden.

[alldigging]

You can never have enough beans.
At the very worst you have to pick them every day and your neighbours get sick of the sight of you walking up the path with a heaving carrier bag.

Mixed beans lightly cooked, stirred into pasta with a load of pesto. nom nom.

[flowertot]

Ah that sounds yum, will try that. Love em in paella (and risottos) instead of peas too, nice bit of texture.There is nothing better than venturing out into the garden on a warm summers night, and throwing together something delicious based around what you've got ready to harvest!

[rpt]

I'm growing dwarf beans this year so that the plants aren't too tall for aesthetic and practical reasons (so they don't block the view of small children playing). If I grow climbing beans can I just build the wigwam of canes at any height I want and simply pinch out the growing tip when they are that height? This way I can increase my yield without the plants being too big.

[flowertot]

I suppose its worth trying, you'll always have the dwarf bean crop to fall back on if it doesn't work...Just been to the garden to pick up a packet of cobra climbing beans in preparation for my bean feast!