Dry bean: when to sow, plant out and harvest
Sowing, planting and harvest dates for your climate, good and bad companions, growing tips.
When to sow in your region
Average dates, computed from the frost dates of each climate. For your exact dates, choose your town.
| Climate | Sow outdoors | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Northern France | 29 April – 12 May | 1 July – 31 October |
| Atlantic coast | 19 April – 2 May | 21 June – 4 November |
| Eastern France | 21 April – 4 May | 23 June – 29 October |
| Mediterranean | 18 March – 31 March | 20 May – 20 November |
| Mountains (around 1,000 m) | 24 May – 6 June | 26 July – 29 September |
Growing
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Latin name
- Phaseolus vulgaris
- Cold tolerance
- Tender (killed by frost)
- Soil temperature to germinate
- 16 °C minimum
- Emergence
- 6–14 days
- Between rows
- 40–50 cm
- In the row
- 5–10 cm
Companion planting
The level of evidence is shown for each pairing: many rest on tradition rather than on studies.
Good neighbours
- Sweet cornScientific study
- Winter squash and pumpkinScientific study
- Pot marigoldExtension service
- NasturtiumExtension service
- BeetrootTraditionSources disagree
- BorageTradition
- CabbageTradition
- CarrotTradition
- CauliflowerTradition
- CeleryTradition
- Courgette (zucchini)TraditionSources disagree
- CucumberTradition
- DillTradition
- Eggplant (aubergine)Tradition
- LettuceTradition
- LovageTradition
- French / African marigoldTradition
- Melon (cantaloupe)Tradition
- Sweet and chilli peppersTradition
- PotatoTradition
- RosemaryTradition
- SpinachTradition
- StrawberryTradition
- SunflowerTradition
- TomatoTradition
Sources
- Jardiner Malin — Calendrier de semis et récolte au potager
- The Old Farmer's Almanac — Planting Calendar (New York City, last frost Apr 3; cross-checked with Minneapolis, last frost Apr 30)
- Oregon State University Extension — Soil temperature conditions for vegetable seed germination (from the UC Davis/Harrington data)
- Colorado State University Extension — Vegetable Planting Guide
- Tous au potager — Distance de plantation des légumes : tableau des espacements