Runner beans - when to pull up?

Mrs_Money

I know we need to leave the runner bean plants in the ground for a while now they're finished as they are Nitrogen fixers - but is there an optimum time for this? We don't need the ground for anything, but are going to spread the contents of the compost bin over the areas we've been growing beans in - no hurry except if everything freezes - which will make it awkward to get the compost out (we have the strange green Dalek-shaped compost bin - hopeless!).
Anyone know?

angelavdavis

You don't want to pull them up - simply cut them at soil level as soon as the frost gets to them and discard the vines in the compost bin. The roots will rot down over winter fixing that nitrogeon as you say.

morg_monster

yes you just leave the roots there not the whole plant. I cut mine down this weekend as i had the time, which was good timing as we've had frost this week. Compost bin is full to the top now with all the foliage, my bean plants went a bit mental this year but i didnt' actually get many beans, boohoo.

irishwexford

Im still picking my beans as we have no frost here yet. I will cut them down next week but they still taste good so hanging on.

Mrs_Money

irishwexford wrote: »

Im still picking my beans as we have no frost here yet. I will cut them down next week but they still taste good so hanging on.

Yes, we had our first frost last night - and I finished picking the last of my runner beans on Tuesday - what a bit of luck!

mazinmouse

I pulled mine up last week as I just got so fed up looking at them and there was nothing much more happening in terms of bean production though I did leave the roots in the soil.

ukbill69

I just cut mine down the other day and added the compost to the garden to improve the soil.

rhiwfield

I've left the beans on to dry out for seed saving but will cut them down afterwards.

Note that in a mild winter the roots sometimes don't rot away so you may get volunteer runners next year!

Farway

rhiwfield wrote: »

I've left the beans on to dry out for seed saving but will cut them down afterwards.

Note that in a mild winter the roots sometimes don't rot away so you may get volunteer runners next year!

This was always a hoped for result in poorer times, bit like dahlia tubers. There is no reason the runner tubers could not be saved for next year, except not worth the effort these days of cheap, or saved, seeds