How big should FRench Beans be to Harvest??

Chimera

Never really thought about it before, but dwarf french bean I acquired from work has started fruiting. How long/big should they be before picking?

Farway

It does depend on variety, some have longer pods than others, but around 4 inches or so

Luckily they are in the category of the more you pick the more you get

Chimera

Thanks.. nearly ready for the first few I think!!

stilernin

Definitely before the beans in the pods swell too much. Once this happens the plant thinks its job is nearly done.

ERICS_MUM

I like my French beans to be slim - the thickness of a drinking straw or just a bit fatter, and 4/5 inches long max. Any bigger and they get tough (to protect the bean fruits growing inside). If you leave them on the plant too long it will stop flowering and producing more beans.

Linda

Orange_King

I made this mistake last year - the pods over developed and quickly stopped producing. The ones that were rescued did taste really good though.

wayne1983

I got given some seeds of these this year so ive planted them. Are french beans the stringy type?. Im not too keen on them that you keep chewing forever.

demented_2

Hi Wayne1983.
The stringy ones are usually runner beans that have got old. French beans are lovely slim green beans usually they are the thickness of a biro.
Hope that helps. I have planted some climbing french beans and some dwarf yellow french beans.

amersall

:cool::cool::cool::cool: wow :D what a great bunch you all are :A you have my utmost admiration, growing your own from seeds, i take my hat off to you all :T

RHYSDAD

I can't quite believe someone has French Beans nearing harvest this early.....? What with the cold we've had up until recently....

soul619

is it too late for french beans to be sown?