Crops › Snap Bean › Fortex (Pole)
Fortex (Pole)
Snap Bean in the US
Fortex is a French filet-style pole bean that produces long, slender, and very tender pods. Starting these undercover will give you a good head start, leading to an even earlier and longer harvest of these gourmet beans.
Sow window for Snap Bean generally, zone 6.
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How to grow it
Wait until all danger of last frost has passed in your area before sowing snap bean seeds directly into the ground. They don't like cold soil, so make sure it's warmed up a bit. Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in rows, with rows about 2 to 3 feet apart. If you want, you can get yourself some nitrogen-fixing bacteria inoculant for the seeds; it helps them grow strong. Remember, don't over-fertilize the soil, especially with nitrogen, as these plants make their own. You can sow in succession every couple of weeks for a longer harvest.
Snap beans are pretty self-sufficient once they get going. Bush varieties won't need much support, but the pole types will definitely need something sturdy to climb, like a trellis or stakes, to keep them happy. Make sure they have enough space to grow, about 6 inches apart for bush types and 8 inches for pole beans once they're properly established. They do well in containers too, especially the bush varieties, just make sure the pot is big enough for good root growth.
More Snap Bean varieties
Track your Snap Bean from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
