what beans would you recommend

[rary]

Looking through the seed catalogues I was wondering what would be the best crop of beans to grow, whither it would be French climbing, dwarf beans, runner beans or broad beans, and the latter which I have never grown, can you cook them in the pod or do you have to shell them? Also is the ground preparation the same for all?

[veggiechicken]

For me - French climbing and broad beans. I pick the pods young (size of your little finger) and cook them whole - no shelling, no furry inside or tough skin on the bean itself.

[rary]

Thanks VC as I said I have never tried growing broad beans so I take it the ground prep. is the same.

[veggiechicken]

I start all my beans in modules, then they're planted out and have to fend for themselves. I'm a lazy gardener so do no preparation, other than clearing a space large enough for the seedling.
A proper gardener will be along shortly.............

[Vince G]

Probably still got time to get some broad bean seeds in the ground in most parts of the country for an earlier crop but I see you're north of the border so best to check what other folk do in your neck of the woods.

Other beans we grow: runners, yellow and purple climbing french beans and borlotti beans for drying for making homemade baked beans!

[Thelma Sanders]

I grow French climbing beans for freezing and runner beans for eating fresh.
I use dwarf French beans as gap fillers, throughout the summer and like VC i start them all in modules. They don't seem to need much ground prep unless your soil is sandy - when a trench filled with compost/veg peelings/wet paper may help retain water for them.

[andy_j]

Im growing moonlight and firestorm runner beans as they're self pollenating and i like growing new things. Got dwarf hestia (runner) for tubs, Liberty and Armstrong (both runners) for the show bench, Speedy (dwarf french) and blue lake (climbing french)

These are all for the allotment and ive already prepared and filled the trenches with cow poo !!! They'll all be sown in pots in the greenhouse in late april

[Scarlet]

I also start all my beans off in modules.
I have 4 main varieties and then I some extras for fun and seed saving.
Aquadulce claudia broad bean - I eat the whole pod young
My runner was originally polestar - I've saved my own seed for years so it's probably a mix now. I did try moonlight as someone suggested above but germination was very poor.
I grow many French beans but the keeper is Cosse Violette. A lovely slim purple podded bean.
My last one is a borlotti bean for eating fresh and drying.
I had great success this year with other drying beans,
"soldier" bush baking bean (pic) which is quite striking
and true cranberry (climbing) which I received from one of the vines seed circles. I'll be growing both of those again.

[Two_Sheds]

French climbing, dwarf beans, runner beans or broad beans

Well, they're all different and all have their own merits and drawbacks. I would say grow some of each if it's your first year, then you'll know which you prefer.

You can grow chickpeas, lentils & butterbeans too, esp. if we have a long hot summer

[Dorothy rouse]

Beans seem relatively easy to grow, broad beans are very different from French and runner beans, so us really what you like, I'd try all 3 varieties, but make sure you harvest them when they are young and tender. I haven't put any broad beans in to 'overwinter' did last year, but really wasn't worth it, so am waiting till Feb to sew them.

[Scarlet]

I haven't put any broad beans in to 'overwinter' did last year, but really wasn't worth it, so am waiting till Feb to sew them.

Same here! Mine are a bit hit and miss with autumn sowing so I now start mine off in pots in Jan in the GH

[rary]

Other beans we grow: runners, yellow and purple climbing french beans and borlotti beans for drying for making homemade baked beans!

Thanks Vince I think it`s to cold and wet here to plant things, and where would I purchase borlotti beans?

[rary]

You can grow chickpeas, lentils & butterbeans too, esp. if we have a long hot summer

The chances of having a long hot summer here are a bit slim

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Vince I think it`s to cold and wet here to plant things, and where would I purchase borlotti beans?

You could try the VSP http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...nce_68032.html

[Veggielot]

I grow all three and I find them all relatively easy to grow. I usually start then in pots, as for which to grow, I would say go for all three.