Tiss the time to get planting those runner bean seeds. There are many varieties of runner beans with scarlet red or white flowers there are also dwarf beans that do not grow so tall and also French beans. I am going to tell you about runner beans.
Runner beans are grown as an annual climber they grow to about 3 metres/10 feet tall. Mine grow well past the top of the canes I have to twine them round they have a spread of about30 cm/ 1 foot. They have flowers red or white which develop into long flat bean pods which can be 25cm /10inches long, the bean pods contain small beans along it. Some varieties have a “string” along the sides of the pods others are stringless, the saves ones save time preparing as the strings have to be removed, its not pleasant to find strings in your beans hard to chew.
Runner Beans like moisture so prepare the area you are sowing them into by digging and putting in compost. Before planting put your beanpoles in they need to be in firmly and fairly sheltered from the wind.
Time to sow the seed April if indoors. Outdoors May, June after the frosts have gone.
I start my seeds of in pots indoors as the slugs and snails love them. I have a lot of Slugs and snails in my garden this year, sadly I put some of my plants out while they were too small and the slugs had a feast.
The seeds need to be sown about 5 cm /2 inches deep and about 15 cm/6 inches. If you have not grown them in situ then transplant when they are big enough to handle in May, when the frosts have finished.
Watering is important especially when the flowers are forming. They need water to set the beans. Keep watering to keep them moist. The beans are pollinated by insects I have seen butterflies and bees on mine.
The beans will be ready for harvest July to October having taken 12-16 weeks from seed to harvest and provide many a delicious meal. Pick regularly to prolong the cropping period
I have grown Desiree this year I prefer the red flowerers to the white. I have also grown Enorma there are many varieties.
Runner bean roots contain a lot of nitrogen so do not grow them in the same place each year
Runner bean seeds are available to buy in garden centres and in some supermarkets.
Runner beans should be cut into slices or chunks and boiled or steamed for about 10 minutes.
Thank you for reading enjoy your runner beans I will enjoy mine now what shall I have with them?
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Ah it takes me back to my childhood.Picking beans in my grandads garden.A lovely review there x
L0BSTER_QUADRILLE 15.05.2006 19:39
Slugs have eaten every single last one. I kept them in the green house until they where about 2 inches tall. Then put them out. All gone! RRRRRRRRRRRRR. Am gonna just put a gazillion seeds outside and keep my fingers crossed! Any slug killing tips???
Nov 3rd, 2002
(Apr 21st, 2003)
very helpful by (100%):
