Can runner beans be grown for beans not pods?

[Snadger]

Don't like runner beans and I have loads of frenchies anyway! I DO have a packet of runner bean seeds though and wondered if I could grow them and allow them to mature for beans not pods?
I have some butter beans and am going to plant some climbing borlotti today, so I may as well sow the runners direct as well (if nothing else they have pretty flowers)

[Scottishnewbie]

Sorry S, I don't know the answer to your question but I am interested that you are planning to sow some butter beans.......are they just the dried kind from the supermarket? Do you need to soak them first? And how tall do they grow/how far apart do you plant them? (Sorry for hijacking your thread a wee bit!).
Thanks
Laura

[HayleyB]

Hi Snadge

Runners would produce kidney beans or pretty close. The beans'd be ok frozen, or left to dry - they'd need to be rehydrated and boiled out as they produce a toxin while drying as do all beans.

[Flummery]

Yep - they're like a butter bean - not bad at all. I've used them like this when they've gone over a bit - just left them and ate them as beans.

[Snadger]

Sorry S, I don't know the answer to your question but I am interested that you are planning to sow some butter beans.......are they just the dried kind from the supermarket? Do you need to soak them first? And how tall do they grow/how far apart do you plant them? (Sorry for hijacking your thread a wee bit!).
Thanks
Laura

Tesco's very own! Just planted them out today. Tried sowing in modules sucessfully, tried soaking before sowing..they all rotted. Tried sowing direct into soil.....they all rotted.
Modules or pots are the way to go but only expect 50% germination........or at least that's what I got. I have grown butter beans before but they were from a seed merchant. I have heard that Tesco's beans are a climbing variety though..........watch this space!

[coreopsis]

Just remember to remove the pods once the beans are fully grown-2 years ago I left some broad beans for seeds-birds got them before I had a chance!