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WHEN TO SOW
April to June
WHERE TO SOW
Early sowings in individual pots in glasshouse or cold frame.
In a sheltered spot to encourage pollinating insects. They grow well in partial
shade.
Put supports in place before you sow the seed, about 2.2metres high should be
sufficient.
A trench filled with water retaining material, such as manure, garden compost or
shredded newspaper, will help cut down on watering later.
To germinate the seed needs a minimum temperature of 10*C, this makes early
sowing outside risky. Seedlings are also vulnerable to soil pests and diseases.
Sow seeds individually in 7cm pots and plant out after the last likely frost.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Glasshouse seedlings should be gradually hardened off before planting
outside in late May to the spacing's above with a support cane at each planting
station. Reduce outside sowings to single plants. Circular plantings can be made
with canes joined at the centre to form a wigwam.
Plants should be put in the ground about 15 cm apart in single rows, double rows
about 60 cm apart.
Remember plants wind so provide a bean netting, canes of string so the plant can
scramble up. Plants wind anti-clockwise.
Runner beans need ample soil moisture, so give them a thorough soaking once a
week in hot spells.
MATURITY
July onwards
HARVESTING
Pick beans as small as you can. Do not leave the beans on the plant after
they reach 25cm as they will be tough.
If there are too many to eat freeze or compost the excess to encourage further
fruiting.
HANDY TIP
Always crop the Beans regularly, even if not required, keep picking or the
pods left will reduce the new growth and shorten the season.
Scarlet flowered varieties benefit in their pod setting if sprayed regularly
with a fine water mist to aid pollination.
USEFUL TIP
Once the plant has grown to the top of the support pinch out the tips to
encourage side shoots.
ACHIEVEMENT
Popular old variety.
Fine flavoured long straight beans produced in abundance.
CZAR
One of the oldest and
finest varieties of white-flowered runner bean. Long, tender beans are produced
over a long period. If allowed to dry it can be harvested as ‘butter’ beans.
ENORMA
An established
favourite that produces good yields of tasty long, straight, smooth pods that
can grow up to 50cm (20in) long, popular for exhibition.
HESTIA Height 30-45cm
A new dwarf variety,
which is suitable for containers, open planting and tubs. It produces 18-20cm
(7-8”) string less, early runner beans, with beautiful red and white flowers.
KELVEDON MARVEL
Earliest runner beans.
Heavy crops of good quality.
LADY DI
A string less variety,
much improved quality and yield over older types, rapidly gaining favour.
LIBERTY
This superior quality
runner bean produces outstanding crops, suitable for exhibition. The beans are
very long, and tasty with smooth thick tender flesh and stunning red flowers.
PAINTED LADY
Old variety producing
top quality beans, with the added bonus of striking red and white flowers. Ideal
for a splash of colour against a wall or fence.
PICKWICK Height 45 -
60cm
A very productive true
dwarf runner bean. A vast improvement over the older varieties. Beans are string less,
if picked at about 20cm (8") long. Frequent harvesting is recommended. Can
be grown in grow-bags or containers.
RED FLAME
An early maturing
variety, which is extremely high yielding. Produces fine quality, long 37cm (15”),
smooth and tender pods with a delicious flavour.
SCARLET EMPEROR
Early variety first
introduced during the early 1900’s. Still considered by many to be the best
flavoured bean available.
STREAMLINE
Pods of superfine
quality, growing in large clusters.
SUNBRIGHT
A new, late harvesting
variety for a good crop in October. High yielding. The stunning golden leaves
and bright flowers are decorative enough to incorporate into any flower border
or kitchen garden.
WHITE LADY
Superb white flowered
bean. Pods are fleshy, smooth and produced in abundance over a long period. |
