How to grow beans in a raised bed

Beans are one of the easiest, most generous crops going, and climbing beans make brilliant use of a raised bed's height. As legumes, they even feed the soil.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun, 6+ hours
• Spacing: 10–15 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 8–11 weeks
• Support: a trellis for climbing types

When to plant: Beans are frost-tender — plant from spring through summer. Sow directly where they're to grow, as they don't love being transplanted. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing them in a raised bed: Sow seed straight into warm mix. Give climbing beans a trellis to run up; bush beans need no support. Don't over-feed with nitrogen — beans make their own.

Watering and feeding: Keep the mix evenly moist, especially once flowering and podding — dry spells mean fewer pods. Water the soil in the morning.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids, caterpillars, two-spotted mite and the 28-spotted ladybird. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main ones are rust, mosaic virus and downy mildew. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

Companion plants: Carrots, cucumber and corn are good neighbours; keep beans away from onions and garlic. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Pick pods young and often while they snap cleanly — regular picking keeps the plant cropping for weeks.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Christopher Franz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.