John's advice after 25 years growing at Ashbrook allotments
Runner beans
Runner beans can produce a very large crop for a long period especially if two or three successional plantings are made, they grow best in fertile ground that has received compost or manure the preceding winter or early spring.
Years ago it was usual to sow seed direct into the ground, in some areas you might still be able to do this however for many reasons, at Ashbrook, I find it far more reliable to start runner beans off two seeds into a 3” pots in the shelter of a frost free greenhouse or cold frame during April, May and June. This way plants are normally ready for transplanting into open ground about four weeks after sowing. To guarantee two plants to a pot I normally chit the seed first in a tray of damp peat, once a small white root appears I know the seed is alive and it is then sown two in a pot.
Runner beans are not frost hardy so there is no need to put plants out until at least early June, also the first blossom on early plantings often fails to set, this can be due to bad weather affecting pollinating insects or night temperatures being too warm. One sowing might suffice however two or three staggered sowings should give succession of picking over a long period.
Runner beans need support and bamboo canes are commonly used. Many gardeners use twin rows of canes or poles at 30cm (12”apart) centres forming a continuous 90cm (3’) wide A frame and incorporating wind bracing which is fine. Alternatively wigwams of six or eight bamboo canes 8’ long and lashed together at the top and able to withstand strong winds can be used.
I find young runner bean plants do not like cold wind so if they are planted just inside their supporting canes and a piece of Rockalene or similar netting is wrapped round the outside to give wind protection for couple of weeks they then grow away strongly.
Slug prevention is advisable for young plantings until they are established.
When blossom appears and right through cropping the plant roots should not be left short of water. Pick the beans regularly, if you have too many give them away, if not picked they will go coarse and stringy and the plants are likely to cease producing.
There are many varieties of runner bean most of which are capable of giving very good crops. For many years I have grown Enorma and always found this an excellent variety.
Climbing French beans can be grown the same way as runner beans, Cobra is a particularly good variety.
Years ago it was usual to sow seed direct into the ground, in some areas you might still be able to do this however for many reasons, at Ashbrook, I find it far more reliable to start runner beans off two seeds into a 3” pots in the shelter of a frost free greenhouse or cold frame during April, May and June. This way plants are normally ready for transplanting into open ground about four weeks after sowing. To guarantee two plants to a pot I normally chit the seed first in a tray of damp peat, once a small white root appears I know the seed is alive and it is then sown two in a pot.
Runner beans are not frost hardy so there is no need to put plants out until at least early June, also the first blossom on early plantings often fails to set, this can be due to bad weather affecting pollinating insects or night temperatures being too warm. One sowing might suffice however two or three staggered sowings should give succession of picking over a long period.
Runner beans need support and bamboo canes are commonly used. Many gardeners use twin rows of canes or poles at 30cm (12”apart) centres forming a continuous 90cm (3’) wide A frame and incorporating wind bracing which is fine. Alternatively wigwams of six or eight bamboo canes 8’ long and lashed together at the top and able to withstand strong winds can be used.
I find young runner bean plants do not like cold wind so if they are planted just inside their supporting canes and a piece of Rockalene or similar netting is wrapped round the outside to give wind protection for couple of weeks they then grow away strongly.
Slug prevention is advisable for young plantings until they are established.
When blossom appears and right through cropping the plant roots should not be left short of water. Pick the beans regularly, if you have too many give them away, if not picked they will go coarse and stringy and the plants are likely to cease producing.
There are many varieties of runner bean most of which are capable of giving very good crops. For many years I have grown Enorma and always found this an excellent variety.
Climbing French beans can be grown the same way as runner beans, Cobra is a particularly good variety.