How to Grow Beans (bush) in New Zealand
Sow direct from October once the soil is warm in Auckland and through to January for a succession. They fix nitrogen and are great for rebuilding soil. Keep new sowings away from the wettest part of summer to avoid rot.
When to plant beans (bush) in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, October, November, December |
| Auckland | January, February, October, November, December |
| Waikato & BoP | January, February, October, November, December |
| Wellington | January, February, November, December |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, November, December |
| Canterbury | November, December |
| Otago & Southland | December |
| Central Otago | December |
Best beans (bush) varieties for NZ
- Top Crop (Bush) — Reliable stringless green bush bean, early and heavy cropping. (Egmont Seeds, Kings Seeds, Mitre 10)
- Tendergreen (Bush) — Round-podded bush bean, tender and quick to crop. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
- Purple King — Climbing bean with purple pods that turn green when cooked, very productive. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
- Borlotti — Speckled climbing bean for fresh shelling or drying, rich flavour. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
How to grow beans (bush)
- Space plants about 20cm apart.
- Sow seed around 3cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 65 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 8 days.
Companion planting
Grow beans (bush) near: Corn, Carrot, Cucumber, Marigold, Nasturtium.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Aphids, Green vegetable bug, Slugs. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Beans (bush) plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant beans (bush) in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, October, November, December. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy beans (bush) seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Egmont Seeds, Kings Seeds, Mitre 10.