Runner Beans

Runner beans are a fantastic addition to any vegetable garden, offering not just delicious produce but also a visually stunning display with their vigorous climbing habit and colourful flowers. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, growing runner beans is a rewarding experience. Let's dive into how to get the best out of these amazing plants.

Summary: Growing Runner Beans

Runner beans are super easy to grow! They love a warm, sunny spot with rich soil and need something to climb on like a trellis or canes. Start seeds indoors in late spring or directly outside once the risk of frost has passed. Regular watering is essential, especially when they're flowering and setting pods. Harvest from midsummer onwards and pick often to encourage more growth. Watch out for pests like aphids and slugs, and act fast if you see any.

Getting Started with Runner Beans

Runner beans, also known as climbing beans, are vigorous growers that can quickly transform a garden space. They are perfect for covering fences, walls, or even creating a 'wigwam' structure for kids to play in. They need a warm, sunny spot to thrive, so choose your location carefully. The soil should be fertile and well-drained; dig in plenty of well-rotted garden compost to get them off to a great start.

Sowing Your Runner Bean Seeds

You have two main options for starting your runner beans: sowing indoors or directly outdoors. For indoor starts, sow seeds in individual pots in late spring, this gives you a head start on the season. For sowing directly outside, wait until after the last frost, usually around late May. Plant bean seeds about 5cm deep, and give them a good watering. Runner bean seeds are pretty big, which makes them easy to handle, and great for little helpers!

Support is Key

These are climbing beans, so you'll need to provide them with something to grow up. Bamboo canes, netting, or strings all work well. A simple wigwam structure made from canes is a popular and fun choice. Ensure your supports are sturdy enough to handle the weight of the growing plants. A bean trellis can be a really aesthetic addition to the garden.

Watering and Feeding

Runner beans love a good drink, especially during dry spells and when they are flowering and setting their garden beans. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. A feed with a balanced bean fertilizer when the plants start flowering can help encourage a bumper crop.

Harvesting Your Runner Bean Crop

The real fun begins in midsummer when you start harvesting. Don't be shy; pick the beans regularly, this encourages the plant to produce more pods. The more you pick, the more you get!

Runner Bean Care

Keep an eye out for pests like black bean aphids, slugs, and snails. Deal with any issues quickly to keep your plants healthy. Companion planting with herbs like rosemary and thyme can help to deter some of these pests.

Runner Bean Varieties

There are lots of fantastic runner bean varieties to choose from. Some have different coloured flowers, and others have different sizes and shapes of bean pods. Why not try a few different varieties and see which ones you like best?

Growing runner beans is a fantastic experience, and it's always exciting to watch them grow. With a little bit of care, you'll be enjoying fresh beans all summer long. Happy gardening!