Kitchen Garden Forum

I bought two packets of dwarf yellow French beans in Lidl at the weekend. - Kinghorn Wax and Sachs Beste Von Allen. I've not grown either of these varieties before and was intrigued to read on both packets that they should be earthed up when they reach 15 -20 cms. I've never earthed up dwarf Frenh beans before. Does anybody else do this? Could it be that these varieties are more prolific than others and the weight of beans could pull them over? (I will live in hope because other yellow varieties I've previously grown have never cropped very heavily.)

They didn't have them in my local Li'Del - hmm. Of I go again to see if they've had more in! I really must book in for some treatment or detox!

I had fair success with my yellow wax last year, they were not very tall (Only about a foot but bushy),they cropped OK considering their tiny statue but not enough so I look forward to the replies.

Westi

As you have suggested I think the earthing up is just to support the plants when they get heavy.
I start my DFBs in a shallow trench about 10 cm deep. I have a Chillington ridging hoe which is ideal for drawing out these shallow trenches. The trench is then back filled as soon as the plants get to a good size.

John

John is correct, you earth up to give then support. You should also earth up broad beans for the same reason.

Barney