Have you planted your green beans yet? It's not too late for a summer harvest if you get them in now. Unlike broad beans, dwarf, climbing and runner beans need warmth to grow well. They can be sown ...

Why do we call French beans 'French'? I have not been able to establish the reason. In fact, Phaseolus vulgaris come from Central and South America, where they were often grown as part of the 'three ...

Fresh, demi-sec or dried, the bean is a nutritional powerhouse. And they’re one of the easiest vegetables to grow – so no need to buy frozen or canned The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will ...

There's a big difference between home-grown beans and those tough, stringy pods you often see in shops. Not only do they taste far better, they can also be picked and enjoyed when they are young, ...

French beans are a little trickier to grow than runner beans, but they are arguably tastier too. There is huge variety available – green, purple, flecked, cream – and they are quite versatile.