Lesson 1: Choosing your Site

Site Selection
Choose a well-drained, sunny spot. Make sure it's sheltered, though: French beans can be vulnerable to chilly winds. If you've opted for a climbing variety, bear in mind that the plants will need supporting. There'll be more on support strategies in a later lesson. Tall climbers will cast a shadow over whatever's planted next to them, so site your bean plants carefully.

Deep Roots
French beans can grow in most soils, providing they aren't too heavy or too acidic. Nevertheless, a rich soil incorporating plenty of well-rotted compost and organic material is important if you want to get the best out of this crop. The plot should be well dug, to at least a spade and a half's depth, because French beans have deep roots that need plenty of elbow room downstairs. Ideally, the soil should be prepared at least a month in advance but, if you get out there now and prepare a patch, you should be able to sow your French beans in a couple of weeks' time (May).

Try These
"Hunter" is a classic variety of climbing French bean. Treat it right and it'll yield masses of long, stringless pods all summer. If you're going for a dwarf French bean, try "Annabel". This stringless variety is also well-suited to growing in pots. "The Prince" is another popular dwarf variety, which produces flat pods.

Pic: GAP Photos/Rice/Buckland