Dwarf French Bean Safari

Safari is a cracking little variety that produces loads of slim, sweet pencil pods around 11cm long. The pods grow high on the plant, so they stay clean and are easy to spot and pick. It’s a tough performer too — even when the weather isn’t playing ball, Safari keeps on cropping. A solid, tasty choice for any bean patch.

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: pick the pods when young and cook whole or sliced, they are delicious.  You can leave the pods at the end of the season for drying.  They are super in winter casseroles.  All French beans freeze well.