COOL BEANS

From stir-fries to soups, beans are a vegie crisper staple

French bean

Loved for its sweet, earthy taste, this climbing bean needs room to ramble, so it’s best planted in a bed with a sturdy trellis. Ensure the soil drains well and is enriched with organic matter and some lime. Sow seeds and water well, but don’t water again until germination. Try ‘Purple King’ or ‘Blue Lake’.

Borlotti

This attractive bean comes in climbing forms, but you can also find it as a dwarf or bush bean. This means it only grows 50-60cm tall and doesn’t require staking, so it’s perfect for pots. Position in a sunny spot and water regularly. Harvest young green beans early in the season or allow to mature on the vine for dried haricot beans.

Butter bean

As its name suggests, varieties of this climbing or dwarf bean are velvety and rich to eat. Look for dwarf forms like ‘Cherokee Wax’ to grow in pots. Place in full sun with protection from wind and use good potting mix. Feed with a fertiliser high in potassium once flowers appear.

Snake bean

This strikingly long bean is available in both climbing and dwarf forms. Position in full sun and provide a sturdy support if growing climbing beans. For the best flavour, pick when young and tender. ◆

FOR MORE PLANTS, VISIT

bunnings.com.au/plants French bean

(Phaseolus vulgaris) French beans are widely grown and are prized for their productive harvest.

Butter bean

(Phaseolus vulgaris) The golden pods of the ‘Cherokee Wax’ variety are great for dressing up side dishes.

Borlotti

(Phaseolus vulgaris) The characteristic red patterning of the borlotti bean comes with its maturation on the vine.

Snake bean

(Vigna unguiculata var. sesquipedalis) Snake bean pods average 30cm in length, but can grow up to a staggering 75cm.