Beans in pots

BEANS

Common climbing bean and bush bean varieties are all good candidates for pots. The climbers need something to clamber up, such as long poles or a tomato cage. When plants are full of foliage, tall frames can tip in the wind, so place them in a sheltered spot. Wide, shallow containers offer stability, or go for a large trough near a wall, with wires or trellis attached. Bush beans (such as these butter beans, above) don’t need support, and can be grown in containers upwards of 30cm wide.

Set up your potted beans in a spot that receives at least 3–4 hours of full sun per day, with protection from hot midday and afternoon sun. Use a premium potting mix (look for ticks on the bag) with added fertiliser and wetting agent.

It’s easy to start bean crops from seed. Spring and summer are the times to sow in temperate areas. You can plant almost year-round in the tropics and subtropics, but it’s best to choose snake bean varieties if you’re planting in the humid months.

Space bush beans 5–7cm apart. For climbers, sow 2–3 seeds at the base of each pole, planting them 2–3cm deep, and keep them just moist until they germinate, which takes a week or so.

Potted beans need more regular watering than in-ground beans, and it’s critical that you don’t let them dry out when flowering begins. Give them a drink whenever the top 5–7cm of mix feels dry. A light cover of surface mulch helps conserve moisture. Beans won’t tolerate wet feet, so don’t let them sit for long with their saucer full of water.

Give your bean plants an application of liquid fertiliser every three weeks to keep them growing strongly. Check for tiny yellow spots on leaves, as this indicates the presence of two-spotted mite (red spider mite), which can damage plants. Use an organic soap spray to control outbreaks, spraying under the leaves.

All going well, you should be harvesting your first bean pods in 50–60 days. The pods are ready to pick when they are long, smooth and tender.