Poles for beans - right way and wrong way?

[Oleander]

My OH has very kindly built a support for my runner beans out of long canes. Trouble is, I was expecting them to lean together at the top, making an A shape, as that is what I have seen in pictures etc.

Instead all eight canes are exactly perpendicular and braced at the top by horizontal "cross bars". It seems to be very sturdy, and the OH is very pleased with himself, but will the beans like it?

[Alison]

The beans aren't as faddy as us so will climb it just fine. As far as I'm aware, the main reason for leaning them in is so that the beans hang free of the plant and are therefore easier to see / pick but so long as it's sturdy I'd just use it and thank him sweetly for his help. Maybe you should do him a sketch if you want something different next time he's helping..............

[Snadger]

The reason you usually have two rows joined at the top is that they are triangulated i.e. An isoceles triangle is formed with the cane uprights and the distance apart in the rows. A triangle is one of the strongest structures man can build.
They may seem fine now, but when the beans are up to the top you will in effect have a solid wall of greenery which has most of the weight at the top, which even a mediocre wind will attack with venom.

You may get away with it, but do you want to take the chance?

Here endeth the geometry lesson!

[paulab]

Do you think I can use your geometry lesson for Kesiah - I need all the help I can get for home tutoring!

[halften30]

Next year try following this ace video on Runner Bean Wigwams :

How To Build A Wigwam Support For Runner Beans (DIY & Home: Gardening Basics)

[rustylady]

I've found wigwams to be the most stable of the structures, followed by the A-frame of bamboos. Trouble is that when your beans are in full leaf and flower that is when the gales seem to happen, and it's soul destroying to see all your hard work knocked flat.

[Oleander]

I love this website - you are all so helpful!

the link to the video is great and it looks like there are lots of other useful videos there too.

We will be converting the Roman style colonade to an A Frame tomorrow!

[halften30]

Good luck with the Beans. I tried them 1st time last year. Could not believe the fantastic flavour. Best picked young unless perhaps you have a "stringless" variety . I have seen some plots with canes placed singularly all over the place and sunk quite deep say 2 feet thay stand quite well. The main point of doing this I think is to avoid building a "wall" of plants which can suffer from the wind. Also consider if planting in a row where the shade will be created

[Flummery]

You are really aiming for stability. I use the wigwam method for small quantities of beans - for example, a dozen climbing beans. For large quantities - my main 'fresh' eating varieties, I use an A frame. It's surprising how strong the winds can be even in summer. I've had one lean drunkenly but never blow over!

[HeyWayne]

In engineering terms, the triangle is the strongest geometric shape for building things (it's why bridges have triangular trusses and alike). Wig-wams and a-frames are variations of a truss (kinda). Tubes or cylinders are also inherently strong, so an a-frame or wig-wam made of canes or poles should withstand a nuclear blast!

I'd also go with the idea that letting your beans dangle makes them easier to see coming picking time.

[Herbgardener]

I've always included a diagonal to brace it. Driven in at 45 degrees to the horizonal next to the end upright, I then fasten it to each of the uprights in the row, then do one the opposite way on the other side, stengthens it all up tremendously :-)

[Flummery]

I'd also go with the idea that letting your beans dangle makes them easier to see coming picking time.

So does growing purple or yellow ones!

[Matt.]

I once read making a "V" shape worked well because the beans hung outside of the leaves making them easier to see and pick. I'll be sticking with the "A" shape for strength.

[HeyWayne]

So does growing purple or yellow ones!

I think I've got some Blauhilde and Negritos to plant Ma. Should be easy to spot?

[Flummery]

Negritos are a dwarf bean chuckie - you don't need an erection for those