No doubt a garden staple, Runner Beans taste delicious and there are many varieties to grow. Summer wouldn’t feel quite the same without them, and they beat shop bought produce any day.
They are also great space-savers, and can be grown in small plots but will grow equally well in larger plots too. How about growing your Runner Bean seeds in the garden border? Producing stunning flowers they even look good growing here!
Why Grow Your Own Runner Beans From Seed?
There are many runner bean varieties to choose from, and you can also think outside the box when it comes to planting. How about an Archway Bamboo Wigwams dotted among an herbaceous border makes a great horticultural feature. Ready-made Runner Bean Frames is also a perfect way to grow these striking plants. For smaller spaces, growing runner beans in pots or containers is super easy. If you prefer a reliable old favourite then ‘Scarlet Emperor’ won’t let you down, and for something a little bit different, the ‘Black Knight’ is a good choice.
A seasonal favourite and a versatile ingredient in the kitchen, plot to plate tastes great when Runner Beans are quick-fried in a stir-fry, added to a salad or even made into a healthier runner bean mac and cheese.
When To Plant Runner Bean Seeds?
Sow seeds under glass in April or outdoors in May or June.
How to grow runner beans from seed
- Runner Beans can be sown straight into the soil from May onwards, but beware that cold weather and winds will check Runner Beans. Treat them as tender, avoiding late frosts.
- For a stronger starting plant, sow in a greenhouse or propagator, use root trainer pots as these Beans will not enjoy having their roots disturbed. Root trainers allow for deeper root penetration when planting and conveniently open up at the sides.
- Support is obviously a must for Runner Beans. A wide range of plant frames are available for this or even trellis and wall supports. Good old fashioned canes are always a popular method. A good tip is to use twine to tie in the Beans, looping it in a figure of eight around the Bean stem, this avoids damage.
- When planting out, trenches are a great idea, they are hungry plants so by digging a trench 30cm deep and wide and forking in a good amount of compost or rotted manure will serve these beans well. Some gardeners line the trench with old newspapers also to help retain.
- Regular feeds with Seaweed extract as they start to grow is beneficial and keep an out for slugs and snails. Look at traps or barriers for them or if really bad use Organic slug pellets. Aphids can be a problem if the infestation is heavy then an organic deterrent spray to combat or encourage predators such as Hover fly with favourable plants.
Pick and prevail, Runners will keep coming if constantly picked as they mature. A mulch around the base of the compost will help keep those roots damp. If you really want to enrich your soil, underplant Beans with Green manure in the form of field Beans. They can all be dug in at the end of the season. As an added bonus runner beans are loved by Bees and the crop often buzzes with their sound.
Buy Dobies Runner Bean Seeds online today!
