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Runner Beans(Climbing French Beans)

Reliable and easy to grow, most gardeners grow Runner beans. They need a rich loamy soil with plenty of organic matter to retain moisture, and a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0.

They are best planted using a trench 2 feet wide that has been double dug and had plenty of manure incorporated. They grow to over 6 feet high, so some form of support will be needed. This support must be absolutely rigid; you will be expecting a yield of approximately 4lb of beans to every plant so you can see that there is a fair bit of weight in the full row. This foliage will also be quite dense and summer winds can cause havoc when blowing against it.

The traditional way of supporting them is to use 8' or 10' canes, using one cane for each plant, to make a framework as in the diagram below.

Frame for growing Runner Beans

Sowing

Runner Beans are not hardy and frost will kill them. It is therefore advisable to wait until all danger of frost is over before sowing outdoors, this is usually in May.

You can start the seed off in April if starting them indoors or in a greenhouse.

Sow in peat pots or cell trays to avoid root disturbance when planting and sow 1 seed to each pot. Transplant to final positions in May.

When sowing outdoors, sow 1 seed 2" deep at every cane. The germination rate of Runner Beans is about 80% so it is worthwhile sowing a few extra seeds at the halfway points as replacements if needed. If it turns out that they are not needed, pinch them out.

Runner beans require a lot of moisture so keep well watered. If the weather is dry when the flowers form a misting of water will help the flowers to set. A weekly feeding with a liquid fertiliser will also help the plants. Keep free of weeds. A Mulch will help in keeping down weeds and retaining moisture.

Runner beans will be ready for picking from midsummer onwards until the first frosts. Check the plants regularly and pick the beans while they are young and tender. Leaving them too long before picking will result in tough, stringy beans.

Runner beans, if kept well fed and watered usually have no problems but in rare cases they might the following. Halo Blight, Bean Beetle, Blackfly, and Aphids, Root rot and bean Anthracnose (See relevant Pests or Diseases sections)