French Filet Beans - Key Growing Information
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Phaseolus vulgarisCULTURE:
Pick a well-drained site with a pH of 6.5–6.8. Beans germinate best in soil at 70–90°F (21–32°C); wait until daytime soil temperatures average 60°F (16°C) or more, or germination may be poor. Inoculants often boost yields. Dark-seeded varieties germinate better in cool soil than white-seeded ones. Don't thin. Filet beans aren't recommended for freezing or canning.DAYS TO MATURITY: Counted from the direct-sowing date.DIRECT SEEDING: Once the last frost has passed, plant 1" deep and about 2" apart in rows 20–36" apart.AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE:
At 8 seeds per foot and 3' between rows: 1,000 seeds sow about 125'; 1 lb. sows about 175'; plan on roughly 116,000 seeds per acre.SUCCESSION PLANTING:
Sow again every 2–3 weeks until midsummer for a steady supply.INSECT PESTS:
For Mexican bean beetles, use insecticides such as pyrethrin or azadirachtin.DISEASE:
In fall, turn under or pull and compost the spent plants so most disease organisms break down faster. To limit white mold (Sclerotinia), give rows extra width so leaves and soil dry quickly. Rotate on a 3-year cycle, ideally following with corn or small grains, and start with clean, high-quality seed to help keep halo blight out.HARVEST: Picking often keeps plants setting new pods. Filet beans are meant to be harvested very thin, ⅛–¼" across. To keep a steady supply of "extra fine" (¼") pods, pick every 36–48 hours. Wait no longer than about 2 days in hot weather or 4 days in cool weather, or pods get large and tough.STORAGE:
Keeps 7–10 days at 40°F (5°C) and 90% relative humidity.Seeds/Lb. (Avg.): 1,750.
Packet: 175 seeds per packet, enough for about 29'.
