guide on nurturing pole beans
Unleashing the Deliciousness of Runner Beans at Home
runner beans are a delight to grow, offering delectable and nutritious produce. Their young pods have an amazing taste, texture, and succulence that far outshine store-bought varieties. Plus, they make a beautiful addition to your garden as a climbing annual.
Growing Runner Beans Like a Pro
To grow these tantalizing beans, you'll need rich, moisture-retentive soil, sturdy support, and a touch of twine to bind your support together. You can plant seeds in pots, modules, or old cardboard tubes in April, preparing them for outdoor planting by late May, or go straight for outdoor sowing in May and early June.
Growing Runner Beans: Quick Navigation
- Sowing and Planting Runner Beans
- Caring for Your Runner Bean Crop
- Growing Runner Beans: Battling Pests & Problems
- Harvesting and Storing Runner Beans
- Top Runner Bean Varieties to Grow
More tips on cultivating runner beans:
- How to Plant Out Runner Beans
- Five Impressive Runner Bean Varieties to Grow
- Maximizing Veg Production in Containers
Sowing Runner Beans from Seed
Runner beans thrive in a sunny spot with rich, moisture-retentive soil packed with well-rotted compost or manure. You can work on the soil either in the fall or spring; the essential part is to break up the ground, remove weeds, and generously incorporate compost or manure.
Sowing seeds indoors in April and growing seedlings in deep pots yields better germination and an earlier harvest. Indoor sowing also protects young plants from pesky slugs and snails. Strong seedlings can be safely planted out in the garden after the last frost around late May. Additionally, you can make later sowings outside in May and June, although these will only be ready to harvest from July or August.
Space is Limited? Try Pots!
Opt for a large container to help retain moisture when growing runner beans in pots. Containe 'Painted Lady', a pretty red-and-white flowered variety, for an attractive and bountiful display in your lackland garden space.
Average Yield:6kg per 3m row
Where to Buy Runner Bean Seeds Online
- Thompson & Morgan
- Suttons
- Primrose
Care for Your Runner Bean Crop
Provide your runner beans with sturdy support like a wigwam. Drive four or more canes, up to 3m long, into the soil in a circle, space evenly. Tie all the cane tops together to form a wigwam. Plant one runner bean seedling at the base of each cane. As the plants grow, support them by tying new shoots to the canes.
When your runner bean plants reach the top of the canes, pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushier growth. Water regularly (especially when in flower) and apply a thick layer of mulch around the roots to lock in moisture.
Battling Pests & Problems
Spacing:20 apart60 between rows
Little runner bean plants are susceptible to slugs and snails. It's wise to plant more than needed, as strong plants can better withstand attack from these unwanted guests. You can also try eco-friendly slug pellets or cover the soil with crushed eggshells. Look out for green shield bugs, but don't worry: these harmless, colorful creatures will not damage your beans.
Harvesting & Storing Runner Beans
Harvest beans 12 to 16 weeks after sowing. Pick the pods when they're 15-20 cm long, before they become stringy. Regular picking encourages the plants to produce more flowers and, subsequently, more young beans. Remember to remove old beans when they begin to yellow, as this helps prevent the plant from stopping its flower production.
After picking, runner beans freeze well. Top and tail them before freezing, and don't forget to blanch the sliced beans before freezing to lock in their fresh taste.
Notable Runner Bean Varieties to Grow
- 'Red Rum': Produces a large crop in poor conditions, earning the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
- 'Armstrong':Produces long, string-free pods with great flavor.
- 'Celebration': Features pretty pink flowers, followed by plenty of tender, tasty pods.
- 'Lady Di': A generous cropper with long slender, stringless pods. Tolerates heat well.
- 'Mergoles': Provides bountiful, fleshy pods with delicious taste.
- 'Painted Lady': An old favorite, with attractive red and white flowers and plentiful, well-flavored beans. Less vigorous than modern varieties.
Depth:5
Where to Buy Runner Bean Seeds Online
- Thompson & Morgan
- Suttons
- Primrose
[1] Runner Beans: How to Grow and Sow (https://www.davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/22656/)[2] How to Grow Runner Beans (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/beans/how-to-grow-runner-beans.htm)[3] Runner Beans: How to Grow, Care and Harvest Runner Beans (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/beans/how-to-grow-care-and-harvest-runner-beans.htm)
Here are three sentences involving the given words:
- Embracing the lifestyle of home-and-garden enthusiasts, consider experimenting with various food-and-drink recipes that feature fresh runner beans from your garden.
- After a day of gardening, unwind by cooking a delicious meal, pairing grilled runner beans with your favorite recipes, elevating your overall cooking skills.
- Spruce up your home-and-garden décor by arranging visually appealing food-and-drink presentations, using runner beans as vibrant centerpieces.
