Runner beans - in pots?

scarlet74

We have a gravelled concrete yard, so everything has to be grown in pots, and I mentioned in another thread that I have started growing some runner beans. This was originally just beacause I wanted something that would grow upwards fairly quickly, and any beans I got would be a bonus.

However, I realise that whilst tomatoes and courgettes might do well in pots, beans might not be best suited to this way of growing. My main concern is how deep the pot/ trough should be - as I suppose the potential height is in some way related to the depth of the roots.

They've started off well anyway - but the time has come to plant them out. I've got the netting up already, but maybe I'm being a bit too hopeful!

Savannah02K

Hello, my soil is pretty awful, almost solid clay, so I grow most things in pots/gro bags. I put runner beans into both, have to say, last year, had better yield from the pots than the gro bags but I think that's because I put too many in the gro bags. I used a square plastic planter, about 14/16 inches deep, put three bean plants in, put the canes into the ground around the pot. Was picking pretty much most of the summer. Go for it. I used Runner Bean Enorma variety but this year I've got dwarf beans - Tendergreen - in pots as well.

TonyMMM

I have grown Runner Beans and Fench Climbing beans in pots quite successfully. They are heavy feeders and like a lot of water so keep them well watered and feed them regularly, they should be fine.

I would also use a good quality compost ...(I use a 50/50 multipurpose & well rotted manure mix) and add a few water retaining crystals to help avoid drying out.

scarlet74

Thanks both! Cheers for all your tips. Things were going pretty well until someone saw the tubs I'd bought and said "oooh, you won't get much out of those" - so I'm feeling a bit more hopeful thanks to you two!

We'll see what comes up...!

Farway

I also grow runners in pots, but very large pots.

You do need big pots, as you realise the top will be tall & heavy, and small pots will just blow over in any storm

Go for square or cylindrical as opposed to bog standard flower pot shape, it will be more stable in high winds

scarlet74

Thanks Farway.

Do you mind if I ask how deep your post are? I'm hoping to train my beans against some netting which I have tacked up against a high sturdy fence, but even so, I think the tubs will need to be fairly deep for the roots. I have got a handful of rectangular tubs which are about 20cms deep, but I'm pretty sure this won't be deep enough.

SteveV2

I use my old green recycle tub. One in each corner and one up the middle.

Works great

banana1975

This is my second year at attempting to grow beans in pots.

Last year I did not choose large enough pots and did not place them in the best position and --- Yes you guessed it they kept blowing over in the wind and when I finally managed to resite them the damage had been done. Did still get a good few meals worth from them.

This year I have tried again. I have used larger pots which are hexagonal in shape so fit together well. I have also added a few house bricks and other "weights" into the pots to keep them firm and have chosen a sheltered place so the wind risk is minimal.

So far so good. The beans have nearly reached the top of the canes already but now need to bush out.

I am also trying the french beans that were free with dig in and have put them in a half barrel with a wigwam, but again I have weighted them down.

Farway

scarlet74 wrote: »

Thanks Farway.

Do you mind if I ask how deep your post are? I'm hoping to train my beans against some netting which I have tacked up against a high sturdy fence, but even so, I think the tubs will need to be fairly deep for the roots. I have got a handful of rectangular tubs which are about 20cms deep, but I'm pretty sure this won't be deep enough.

My pots are 10 inches & 14 inches deep [sorry do not know what metric is for this] Both grow nice beans, so as a rough guide I would say a foot or more deep pots

PS Just looked my rule, 20cms is about 8 inches, so you may just get away with it, only way is suck it & see and if it does not work then you at least know what is needed for next year

scarlet74

One in each corner and one up the middle...

Well you can't ask for more than that, can you?

Thank you Steve, Nana, Tony, Savannah and of course Farway. As you say, see what works and what doesn't, and learn from that for next year. I've taken all your tips on board - just need a bit of sun now!

Cheers...!

Lotus-eater

scarlet74 wrote: »

One in each corner and one up the middle...

Well you can't ask for more than that, can you?

:rotfl: ha ha







I don't get it :A