French Bean 'Blue Lake' (Climbing)

* * * * - Based on 11 reviews
A wonderfully prolific climbing bean, with a long, steady cropping pattern of tender and tasty green beans. More
100 seeds 110258 £2.50 Delivery late April
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When in stock, please allow up to 5 days for despatch.
10 seedlings 510411-10 £9.95 In stock
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When in stock, please allow up to 4-6 weeks for despatch. For fruit & veg bare roots/crowns or potatoes, please allow up to 2 weeks for despatch.

Or buy this as part of our Easy Summer Veg Collection.

More Details

A wonderfully prolific climbing bean, with a long, steady cropping pattern of tender and tasty green beans. This also produces a very pretty white flower, that looks lovely in a little vase on the kitchen table with some bright sweet peas. Of all the beans I grow, this is the slowest to get tough and stringy. Hugely recommended.

Please note, illustrated packets are being introduced gradually over the coming months, availability may vary.

Genus Phaseolus
Group/Species vulgaris
Variety Blue Lake
Common Name Climbing French Bean, Green Bean
Border Position Kitchen Garden
Soil Type Broad Tolerance
Site Full Sun
Moisture Moist but Well-drained
Height 2.1m (7ft)
Spacing 15cm (6in)
Sowing, Seeds, Planting Soak seed for half an hour before sowing. Sow under cover one or two seeds per pot from mid-April-May. Harden off before planting out in late May when seedlings are 5cm (2in) tall. Sow direct outside, 5cm (2in) deep, after the last frosts, mid May-July.
Care Tips Will grow best in a sunny position with fertile, well-dug soil that has had plenty of organic matter added. Pinch out the tops once the plant has grown to 1.8m (6ft) in height. Provide support with canes or bean poles. Water well during dry weather and apply a mulch to help keep moisture in the soil.
Storing Save the flageolet beans inside to dry and use in stews. These also freeze well.
Harvesting From July - October. Best picked often and before you can see the bean seed shape inside, at about 10-12cm in length. This variety produces for a longer period than dwarf varieties.
Cooking Notes Do not eat the pods raw, as they contain harmful toxins. To cook, top and tail and place in boiling water, to cook until tender.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors
  • Direct Sow/Plant Outdoors
  • Flowers/Harvest
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Delivery

Plant Delivery - When in stock, please allow up to 4-6 weeks for despatch. For fruit & veg bare roots/crowns or potatoes, please allow up to 2 weeks for despatch.

Seeds Delivery - When in stock, please allow up to 5 days for despatch.

Click here to find out more information about our delivery rates and times.

French Bean 'Blue Lake' (Climbing) reviews

* * * * - Average based on 11 reviews

* * * * *

Reviewed 5th August 2019 by Angela

We always buy Blue Lake because of consistently good results. Heavy cropper with great taste.

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Reviewed 5th August 2019 by Mrs Dyson

They never came up, again had to resow with old seed which did. Made my crop very late so not pleased

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Phil

French beans yet to be tasted

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Maralyn

Easy to propagate but not a very high yield

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Reviewed 31st July 2019 by Natalie

Your Service was ok but your seedings produced 1 out of 10!

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Reviewed 14th November 2018 by Julia

Unbelievably fruitful and excellent bean quality(i am a chef). Will definitly order more next year.

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Reviewed 19th September 2018 by Mary

very good but not perfect

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Reviewed 19th September 2018 by Diane

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Reviewed 19th September 2018 by Belinda
prolific but require a degree of supervision

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Reviewed 20th April 2018 by Christopher Smith

I would award 4.5 stars if this score were available. They germinate very well but, as the other review mentioned, not all the seedlings then made it into adulthood, if I may put it that way - but this could be for so many reasons (I can't reasonably blame the beans!): certainly, the weather in the north East Midlands was often difficult last summer. They cropped prolifically and are magnificent steamed for a few minutes.

Indeed prolific

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Reviewed 11th November 2016 by Julie North

These little beans stayed producing until late autumn and even though around 4 (out of 10) didn't prosper, a family of 4 ate well off the remainder until the end of the season. Very pleased.

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