Dwarf French Beans may not require support in good conditions. However, the weight of the pods does tend to drag them to the ground, attracting slugs and other pests. It is best to tie them into a short bamboo pole or let them scramble through twigs inserted into the ground next to them. This will also give some protection to the plants if the weather conditions turn windy.

The climbing varieties of French Beans grow to about 1.8m (6 foot) high and they definitely need support. The idea is to provide a structure which their tendrils can grow round and pull the plant up. 

The most attractive form of support is a wigwam - four or five bamboo canes tied together at the top will be sufficient. The growth at the top will be a bit crowded, but this structure will still produce a good crop of beans.

It is a good idea to twist some gardening twine round the bamboo canes, this will give the growing plants more to grab hold of. 

Where space is really short, this type of structure can be used for container growing French beans. In this case, insert one cane centrally in the container, tie six or so lengths of garden twine to the top of the cane and secure the other ends of the twine to the edge of the container. Plant three or four seeds, which will then grow up the twine. The plants will need their tips pinching out when they reach the top of the twine.

Other methods are to erect a criss-cross of canes, each pair tied together at the top, or simply a line of canes connected together with mesh netting. Finally, don't forget that runner beans can be be grown up an existing fence which has been covered with mesh netting.

Caring For Your French Beans
The requirements of runner beans are simple - water and weeding, possibly some feeding. All three can be accomplished by a mulch of organic material spread round the plants - this will help retain moisture, keep the weeds down and gently feed the plants. If the soil has been prepared as described previously the only other attention is hand watering in very dry conditions, especially as the flower buds begin to develop. A special treat for French Beans is watering with Tomato Plant food every couple of weeks if possible. Finally, pinch out the growing tips when the plants reach the top of the supports.

Harvesting French Beans
French Beans will be ready for harvesting in July, and this should continue into early October. Pick the beans when they are young - leaving them too long will result in a crop of stringy beans. Length of the beans does not let you know if they are ready, rely on the texture of the beans - they are past their best when the skin is coarse textured and the beans inside begin to show through like small marbles.