Teagasc has highlighted the potential of growing beans successfully in 2026, which it said is due to a number of factors.

These include the significant shortfall in home-produced proteins; the fact that beans grow well in Irish conditions; and the continuing eligibility of the crop for the Protein Aid Scheme.

Beans perform well where the soil indices for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are high, according to Teagasc.

Trials from Oak Park have clearly shown that where beans are sown in index 1 or 2 soils for P and K, they never yield as well as those sown in Index 3 soils, regardless of how much fertiliser is used.

Ideally, beans should only be drilled in the same field every five to six years. From a disease point of view, the longer between crops the better.

Drilling

Growers should plan to drill as early as conditions allow.  However, soil conditions are as important as planting date, especially if a direct drill or min-till system is used.

Drilling into wet soils can reduce root development and nutrient uptake.

Growers should aim to establish 30 plants/m² and try to complete drilling by early to mid-March.

Numerous trials have confirmed that beans do not perform well when planted late in the season, i.e., in April.

Later planting also results in later harvesting. This can cause a number of problems, such as increased moisture and reduced quality.

Disease control

Chocolate spot is the most prevalent disease that will attack beans under Irish conditions.

Effective disease control will require two fungicide applications: the first at the mid-flowering stage with the second following while the pods are filling.

Significantly, bean crops do not require additional nitrogen.

They are legumes and so can fix the nitrogen they need from the atmosphere.

Beans make a perfect entry crop for winter wheat. And their nitrogen fixing potential ticks every agronomic, economic and environmental perspective when it comes to growing crops on a sustainable basis.

Soil conditions

 With all tillage farmers having had ample opportunity to get winter cereals planted out at their leisure some weeks ago, this leaves the ‘ground clear’ to plant out beans as soon as weather conditions improve in February.

Yields of beans, on light soils in dry seasons will be disappointing if drought occurs.

Beans should not be grown on peat or soils with a high organic matter content, as mineral deficiencies can occur.

Medium soils allow good root development and will usually retain enough moisture to meet the needs of the crop.

Also, medium type soils will dry out reasonably quickly in the springtime, and allow sowing to proceed in good time.

Compacted soils should be avoided, or soils where draining is impeded. Root development will be stunted, and complete crop failure can result if water logging occurs.

Water logging will also stunt root growth and reduce nitrogen fixation. It will also increase crop susceptibility to frost damage and disease, all of which reduces yields.

The optimum soil pH for beans is in the range: 6.5-7.0. If the pH reading drops below 6.0, then an application of lime is needed.

As beans are susceptible to a wide range of soil-borne pests and diseases, a strict rotation is necessary. A five-year break is essential between bean crops.

It is desirable that oilseed rape should not have been grown during the previous two years because of the risk of sclerotinia disease.

Providing good seedbed conditions is essential to get all crops off to a good, vigorous start.

Spring beans need a medium to fine seedbed produced with the minimum of compaction.