How to grow Beans (bush) in New Zealand
Bush or dwarf beans are one of the easiest summer crops: quick, productive and rarely troubled by pests, with the first stringless pods ready about two months after sowing. They are frost tender and need warm soil, so sowing starts in October in the north and December in the far south. Like all legumes they fix nitrogen, so the spent plants are good for the soil.
📖 Our full guide: When to Plant Beans in NZ: Growing Green Beans by Region
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | October to February | |
| Auckland | October to February | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October to February | |
| Central North Island | November and December | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | November to February | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | November to February | |
| Canterbury | November and December | |
| Otago & Southland | December | |
| Central Otago | December |
Where to plant
Sow beans in full sun in well-drained soil that stays moist. Seed rots in cold, wet soil, so wait until the soil has warmed in spring. Bush beans need no support, which makes them easier than climbing beans in small gardens and pots.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty: sow from October to February. Sow a short row every three or four weeks for a steady supply.
- Wellington and Nelson and Marlborough: sow from November to February.
- Canterbury and the central North Island: sow in November or December, once frosts are over and the soil is warm.
- Otago and Southland and Central Otago: sow in December, when the soil has warmed. Start under a cloche if spring is cold.
Choosing a variety
- Top Crop: a heavy-cropping, early green bean with crisp, almost stringless 14 cm pods. Vigorous, with good disease resistance, and freezes well.
- Tendergreen: fleshy, stringless round pods up to about 16 cm. Good in pots.
- Sunshine and Labrador: stringless dwarf beans; Labrador is early and freezes well.
- Golden Wax: butter-yellow pods over a long season.
- Climbing varieties such as Purple King and Scarlet Runner crop for longer but need a trellis or frame.
How to plant
- Rake the bed and work in some compost or blood and bone.
- Sow seed directly where it is to grow, about 2.5 cm deep and 10 cm apart, in rows 40 cm apart.
- Water in, then keep the soil just moist rather than soggy until seedlings appear, as cold, wet soil can rot the seed.
- Thin to 15 to 20 cm if you sowed thickly, and mulch once plants are up.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially once flowering starts, as dry spells reduce pod set. Water at the base rather than over the leaves to reduce rust and mildew.
Beans need little feeding. A light liquid feed once flowering begins is plenty.
Pruning and care through the year
- Mulch to keep roots cool and moist and weeds down.
- Hot weather can cut pod numbers. Regular watering helps plants keep setting.
- When plants finish, dig them into the bed or add them to the compost heap to return their nitrogen to the soil.
Harvesting
Start picking about 50 to 60 days after sowing, while the pods are young, slim and snap cleanly, before the seeds bulge. Pick every two or three days, as the more you pick, the more the plants produce.
Beans keep about four days in a bag in the fridge, and they blanch and freeze very well.
Growing in pots
Choose a dwarf variety such as Tendergreen or Sunshine and a pot or trough at least 30 cm deep. Keep the mix moist and the pot in full sun. Climbing beans and broad beans are not suited to pots.
Companion planting
Beans are generous neighbours, adding nitrogen to the soil for the crops that follow.
Good companions
- Corn A classic pairing; corn likes the same warm conditions.
- Carrot A root crop that shares the bed without competing for the same space.
- Cucumber Another summer crop that likes the same warm, moist conditions.
- Marigold Adds colour and draws beneficial insects to the bed.
- Nasturtium Draws aphids away from crops and flowers for months.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to beans (bush).
Pests and diseases
Beans are among the least troubled vegetables, but watch for sap-sucking bugs in late summer.
Pests to watch for
- Green vegetable bug Green shield-shaped bugs on pods and stems, and pods that are marked or distorted.
- Aphids Clusters of small insects on new growth and under leaves.
- Slugs Seedlings chewed off as they emerge, with silvery trails.
- Snails Holes in young leaves after damp nights.
- Whitefly Fine yellow mottling on upper leaves, and small white insects that fly up when disturbed.
- Thrips Twisted, distorted pods with rusty marks near the stalk end.
- Spider mite Yellow, mottled leaves and fine webbing in hot, dry weather.
Diseases to watch for
- Rust Orange to red-brown pustules on leaves and stems that release powdery spores.
- Powdery mildew White powdery coating on leaves in late summer.
- Mosaic virus Leaves mottled light and dark green, puckered or curled, with poor cropping. Pull out affected plants and control aphids, which spread it.
Common questions
When do I plant beans in New Zealand?
Once the soil is warm and the frosts are over: from October in Auckland and the north, November in Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury and the central North Island, and December in Otago, Southland and Central Otago.
Why did my bean seeds not come up?
Usually because the soil was too cold or too wet and the seed rotted. Wait for warm soil, sow about 2.5 cm deep, and keep the soil just moist rather than soggy until they emerge.
How often should I pick beans?
Every two or three days once they start. Pick them young and slim, before the seeds swell, and the plants keep producing.
Why are my bean plants flowering but not setting pods?
Hot, dry weather can cut pod numbers. Keep the soil evenly moist through flowering and mulch to keep roots cool.
What is the difference between bush and climbing beans?
Bush or dwarf beans grow to about 30 to 50 cm with no support and crop quickly. Climbing beans need a trellis but crop for longer in a smaller footprint.
Can I grow beans in a pot?
Yes, choose a dwarf variety such as Tendergreen or Sunshine and a pot at least 30 cm deep, and keep it well watered.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow beans; Yates NZ: Common problems of beans; Kings Seeds: Bean Dwarf Top Crop.