Dwarf French Bean Nautica

Nautica really impressed us with its generous yield and quality. This dark-seeded dwarf variety grows a bit taller than most — up to 50–60cm — and produces plenty of tender, slim pencil pods. The flavour’s top-notch, and you can harvest them how you like: either let them reach 12–13cm, or start picking once they’re just a bit wider than your palm. A great all-rounder for taste, texture, and productivity.

SOW: start these off in pots or modules placed in an unheated greenhouse or even on a window during April or May.  You can sow directly into the soil but wait until mid-May as they really do not like cold soil.  You can sow as late as July for a later harvest.

GROW: plant out after hardening off when about 15cm tall after all frost danger has passed. Safari, being a dwarf variety should not need any support except if your garden catches the wind.  French Beans are self-pollinating.  They cope well with drier summers

ENJOY: you can wait until the pods reach 12-13cm long, or simply pick them off as soon as they reach just beyond the width of your palm!  All French beans freeze well.  Any pods left at the end of the season can be dried and the black seeds can then be used in soups or strews.