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How To Grow Runner Beans
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How to grow runner beans
Is there anything more quintessentially British than growing runner beans? Probably not! Runner beans are productive, tasty and decorative enough to grow as a climber in your flower border
Location
Runner beans need a sunny spot with rich and moisture retaining soil. Dig in manure the Winter before or before you start planting
Sowing Seeds
Sow seeds from April on-wards and plant out seedlings after the last frost around the end of May
Give Them Support
Runner beans need a support structure to grow up. Build a teepee / wigwan shape from 3 bamboo canes or make several A-frames joined by cross beam at the top. In a windy area it's also a good idea to anchor the bottom of your canes in the ground
Watering
Water your plants regularly, and particularly if the weather is dry when buds start to appear
Pinching Out
Pinch out the growing tip of the plants when they reach the top of their supports to stop the plants becoming too top heavy
Harvesting
You can harvest from roughly July on-wards, when the pods are 15-20cm long. Harvest regularly, every 3 days or so, to encourage more pod production and don't let the beans go to seed on the plant or they will stop producing flowers and beans
Freezing For Later
Runner beans can freeze well, however you should top and tail them and blanch before freezing
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