How do I use canes for runner beans?

[Printemps]

Can someone tell me how to make a bamboo climbing frame for runner beans please? I have loads of bamboo canes, some quite thick and most over 3mtrs in length, but I haven't a clue how to tie the tops once they are erected - I'm only 5' 4" on a good day!!! Or do you sort of make 'it' flat on the ground, then erect it afterwards?

I thought making a raised bed was going to be a complete doddle - you would have pee-ed yourselves stupid if you'd seen me wielding a cordless drill, zillions of screws then finally resorting to the biggest hammer and nails I could find!!!

[growingkasbar]

when we did this, we got about 6-8 canes. then pushed them into the soil around the plant. Then kind of pulled the canes together at the top. Then, just tie them all together at the top with string. It helps if you have an extra pair of hands to help out too.

[craiglockley]

My method is similar to kasbar, but rather than tying the canes straight away, I cross them over at the top and slide a cane in horizontally along the top. Then you can tie each crossover point to make it a solid frame.

[Snadger]

Even if you are only 5'4" when the 8 foot canes are pushed into the ground at an angle the tie-ing height of under 6 foot should be ok for you with outstretched arms. If it isn't, just stand on a stool or similar!

[Two_Sheds]

I am 5' 3" and I buy 8ft canes, of which 1 ft goes in the ground.

Four canes, tied at the top with string (I stand on a crate). I pinch the growing tip off the beans when they reach the top of the canes.

[taff]

I tie three 7-8ft canes together at the top first, then push them in about a foot, doing each cane a bit at a time.

[FionaH]

I'm 5ft 1, its not as difficult as you think

[Alison]

Use 8' canes also, not a problem for me as I'm 5'11" but my lottie mate (far shorter) had to give up and let me do it!

[HeyWayne]

I just push the canes into the ground at an angle, then the next one gets pushed into the ground so the top points somewhere near to the previous until I've about 5-6 canes forming a "wig-wam". Then tie the tops together either using string, or cable ties and then I wrap a piece of string round each cane so it goes up in a kind of "helter skelter" - this seems to give the beans something to run up.

I don't have a problem reaching the top of 8ft canes.

[Suky]

I'm only 5'4" and use 8ft canes, no problem. I use the row method and others use wigwam so you need to decide what style you want/need.

[Bagpuss]

Hi Printemps!
At 5 foot I share your problems !
I grow beans in containers and use canes around the inside edge of the pot. I start out by using a cane connecter which I brought at the GC (effectively a round plastic disc with notches around the outside into which the canes can be slotted in). Once the canes are in I lift the whole lot up and "stab" the end of the canes into the container. Works well for me and the beans seem happy enough to run around this. Hope this helps

[Bagpuss]

Hope this works - a link to the connector
(Pack of 2) - Wigwam Cane Supports from Allotment Growing

[Printemps]

Thank you all for your suggestions and the first thing I'm going to have to do is cut my canes - as it looks like most of them are more than 3mts in length! I've rotovated the soil and I didn't want to re-compact it, so I know the soil will be too loose to use a chair or stepladder on it! Looks like I'll just tie them as high as I can reach seeing as there's not another pair of hands to lend a hand! Think I'll stick to a row as have quite a few beans to go in.

I'll let you know how I get on!

[singleseeder]

I notice that everyone has said that they push the canes into the ground at an angle. I have always pushed them in at 90 degrees to the ground and then pulled them together at the top. By doing this I find the structure is more rigid because of the 'stress' on the canes. This means it will hold the weight of the plants and the height of the season and stand up to the autumn winds better.

The canes don't seem to suffer from being abused in this way either. Mine always last a few years even if I forget to bring them in for the winter.

[TonyF]

Like Printemps, I also have access to lots of bamboo - grows like a weed in some parts of France and some people are pleased if you offer to cut and carry it for them, easy win usually.

But I'm abandoning the canes for beans etc and am building home made trellis or obelisk frames for them, whether growing in the large pots/growers or in beds just so I don't have to go through the building/tying thing every year - and I'm 6' tall so it's not a height thing, just have a basic design that I can use everywhere.