HOW TO GROW DWARF BEANS?

As the name suggest, dwarf beans are usually shorter than the normal ones. There are different types of dwarf beans. This includes Golden wax dwarf bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), Purple tee Pee dwarf, Berrgold Improved dwarf, soybeans, Golden wax dwarf bean, Borlotti Fire tongue dwarf etc. Dwarf beans belong to Legume family. Golden wax Dwarf Bean is a high yielding type with strong growth. These plants produce yellow coloured fleshy pods (15-17 cm length and 2 cm width), which have terrific flavor and extraordinary production with white coloured seeds. The plants need plenty of water and sunlight. This plant prefers dark, well drained moist soil. If there is any excessive wind, provide some protection from the wind. ​​
 
Golden Wax Dwarf Bean

1. Time to sow seeds- Spring to Summer
2. Dwarf beans need full sun
3. The minimum distance between two plants is 10 cm
4. The plant can grow upto a height of 50- 60 cm
5. Harvesting can be done in 8-10 weeks’ time
6. ​Compatible Plants: Cabbage, Kale, Broccoli, Sweet corn, celery, cucumber, Melon.

Advantages over the Beans

• No need for support
• Grows very fast, compared to normal beans
• Short plants, less than knee sized plants

Materials Required:

• Dwarf bean seeds
• Hand Gloves
• Water​

Procedure:

1. For planting the dwarf bean, select a spot which receives full sunlight throughout the day. Minimum of 4-6 hours sunlight is necessary to get good beans.
2. Soak the seeds in water overnight before sowing them to aid in good germination
3. Now prepare the soil by digging properly. This makes the soil loose, suitable for cultivation. Add compost or animal manure such as chook compost, sheep pellets, etc.  to the already digged soil, to increase the nutrients.
4. Make the soil damp and sow the seeds in rows or blocks by digging about 25 mm deep holes in damp soil. As the soil is damp, there is no need to water the seed for 2-3 days.
5. After about 7-10 days, the seedling will start to emerge.
6. While planting seeds, give atleast 10 cm space between two seeds. This prevents overcrowding of plants in a place.
7. Cover with some soil above the seeds.
8. Water atleast once in a day. Protect the plants from wind.
9. The seedlings will emerge in 7-10 days. If there is any overcrowded seedlings in a place, carefully remove few and plant in another spot to reduce crowding.
10. Mulch round roots during summer seasons. Water well preferably twice a day during summer time.
11. Harvesting can be done in 8-10 weeks. It is good to pick young and tender beans once in every 2-3 days, as they tastes better. ​​

 
Problems:

Slugs, snails, Shield bugs, Aphids, may eat the seedlings and beans. Treat the plant with garlic oil spray or neem oil to avoid these creatures.​  
 
Butter Bean Dwarf Beans​​

Butter beans can produce yellow coloured fleshy beans. The pods are oval shaped and have excellent flavour. This is a high yielding variety of beans with strong growth. ​
 
​Materials Required:
Butter bean seeds
Hand Gloves
​Animal manure
Water

Procedure:

• The selection of suitable location is very important. Select a soil which is well prepared using animal manure. The spot should get plenty of sunlight.
• It is recommended to plant the seeds after the frost has passed. 
• Before planting the seeds, soak it overnight in a bowl of water to increase the chances of germination. 
• The selected spot should be digged properly. Add sufficient animal manure and mix thoroughly.
• Dig approximately 25 mm deep holes in rows and plant one seed in a hole. Give atleast 10 cm space between two seeds and about 50 cm between two rows to avoid overcrowding of plants.
• Cover each hole with a layer of soil. Do not water for 2-3 days.
• After about 7-10 days, the seedlings will emerge.
• Keep watering the plants atleast once a day, and provide sufficient mulch to keep the roots of the plants cool. 
• Keep the garden weed-free by frequently checking and removing the weeds as soon as possible. 
• The flowers can be sprayed with water as it helps the pod to set well. 
• The beans can be harvested in about 8-10 weeks time from the day of sowing seeds. 
• ​It is recommended to pick the beans when they are tender, probably every 4-5 days.