Dwarf bean (Ferrari)
A compact and easy to grow dwarf French bean which produces larger crops than would ever seem possible. The short sturdy stems help to support great numbers of long slender beans with a crisp, fine texture and remarkably sweet flavour. Crops are quick to mature and the plants show good resistance to disease for a longer harvest season.
Growing Advice
Sow outdoors May to early July. Dwarf beans can be sown outdoors for ease. Choose a sunny, sheltered location for best results and wait until the soil has warmed up, ideally to around 10°C+. If the soil is very heavy, cold or waterlogged an indoor sowing is preferable. Beans like good fertile soil so it’s worth digging in a slow release fertiliser or some organic matter before you start. Sow 5cm deep directly where plants are to grow. For surest results, sow two seeds together, with 30cm between each pair. Gently firm the soil and keep moist. When large enough to handle remove the weaker seedling of each pair, leaving the strongest to grow on. It is good practice to water well after thinning out, to wash any dislodged soil back around the roots of the remaining plants. Remove any weeds as they appear.
Top Tips About Seeds
Once the seed packet has been opened, the seeds can be stored in an airtight container until required for further sowings. Dwarf bean seeds will maintain their vigour for a good number of years.
Dwarf French beans can easily be grown in the largest of patio containers but crops may be smaller. Ensure plants are kept well watered.
Dwarf French beans are pretty much problem free. This variety also shows good resistance to disease so just keeping it well watered, especially during dry hot weather, should be all that is required.
The most important thing to remember about harvesting beans is to do it constantly and to never let up. Once seed pods are allowed to mature the plants will begin to slow down the growth of new ones.
Ideas on how to use your Dwarf Beans
Regular and thorough watering throughout the harvest period will really help to increase the size and the quality of the crop. Any surplus beans can simply be bagged and frozen whole for later use. When needed just chop them up from frozen and put them straight into the pan. French beans are also delicious lightly cooked, tossed in garlic butter and served in a salad. When in flower climbing beans make very attractive plants so if space is limited a wigwam of beans can look great in an ornamental border.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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