Phaseolus vulgaris

Phaseolus vulgaris is a ANNUAL growing to 2 m .
It is hardy to zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light , medium and heavy soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Requires a warm sunny position in a rich well-drained preferably light soil with plenty of moisture in the growing season. Dislikes heavy, wet or acid soils. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 6.5. The French bean is commonly cultivated in the temperate and subtropical zones and in montane valleys of the tropics for its edible mature seeds and immature seedpods. It is often grown to provide a major part of the protein requirement. A very variable plant, there are more than 1,000 named varieties ranging from dwarf forms about 30cm tall to climbing forms up to 3 metres tall. Plants are not frost-tolerant, air temperatures below 10°c can cause damage to seedlings. When grown for their edible pods, the immature pods should be harvested regularly in order to promote extra flower production and therefore higher yields. Yields of green pods averages about 3kg per square metre, though double this can be achieved. French beans grow well with strawberries, carrots, cauliflowers, cucumbers, cabbage, beet, leek and celeriac. They are inhibited by alliums and fennel growing nearby. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.