Runner Beans---TRIFFID!

THIRZAH

We normally have a good crop of mangetout but this year only a few very spindley plants appeared. The carrots are doing well though.

scuzz

Thanks guys! I shall definitely try the sugar solution

Tiby

I am going try growing runner beans for the first time this year. I read a tip about growing them somewhere, which suggested digging the soil out and filling it up with grass cuttings etc and then putting the soil back and planting the beans in that top soil. I was wondering whether I have left it too late to do that or can I still do that and plant the beans in a month's time?
Hopefully somebody will be able to advise me on that.

franr43

the problem runner beans get is that if they get too dry (or the beans aren't regularly picked) they stop producing beans. so often people suggest making a trench with old newspapers, uncomposted kitchen waste etc below where they are to grow just because all that kind of stuff will act as a water store. It may also be that the advice re grass cuttings additionally contain lots of ntrogen to get good strong plants as well as holding lots of water. Its definetely not too late - I will start my climbing bean plants off indoors next month and plant out in May = so you can prepare your water 'reservoir. anytime b4 that. Its often suggested to do stuff like that now bcos april and may are such busy timesat the allotment/garden generally and digging trenches lke this is hard work and takes time! good luck

Tiby

Thankyou for the advice Franr43, I will start digging today!

Lord_Gardener

As above, not too late (March and April) now is the normal time for planting out. Runners need a rich but not waterlogged soil to grow in - they are hungry and its worth mixing in a general purpose fertilizer before planting. We often grow in pots using a mix of compost/well rotted horse manure and soil in equal parts, plenty of water and get great results!

kippers

Where are you Lord Gardener?...i wouldn't plant my runner beans out until after the last frosts

TheMole

I have planted quite a few runner bean seeds in indiviual pots, planning on putting them in grow bags, however my FIL doesn't think they will grow in grow bags, anybody know ?.

Also in the spirit of recycling for labels in my seed trays I wrote on used wooden drinks stirrers. Unfortunatley the ink has run after watering and I now don't know what is what :-).

the ones I cant identify are polycress and chillies. Something has grown with 6 leaves per seedling, is this polycress ?.

thanks

T Mole

Solomon_Broad

Runner beans should be fine in grow bags. I've grown them in pots with the compost from a grow bag successfully before now.

angie_loves_veg

I have never heard of polycress!

However, chillis I know and have seedlings at the moment. Can you describe the shape of the leaves? are they lobed? can you post a piccy?