overwintering climbing beans?

[bikermike]

I've shoved a few bean seeds in (not sure what official variety they are - they look like BlauHilde) to test some compost, and they are coming up.

What odds of them making it through the winter in the greenhouse?

Will I be likely to get any earlier beans next year if they make it?

[mcdood]

I'm not sure it will be worth the coddling as they don't like the cold, frost will kill, so you'll be protecting from now'ish through till March. Any growth they put on is likely to be leggy and weak so I doubt you'll end up with a strong plant at planting time. Nothing ventured nothing gained though so give it a whirl and let us know how you get on.

[Snoop Puss]

Could you grow them as house plants?

[Scarlet]

I wouldn't bother! They are easy to germinate and grow fast - not like a chill plant.
If you want an early crop, sow a batch of dwarf beans for growing in the Greenhouse in Spring and cover with fleece for added protection. I usually get a June crop.

[bikermike]

I'll leave them in the greenhouse and see what happens. After all, I've planted them out of season, seems unfair to let them get nobbled for no fault of their own.

[nickdub]

some people back in the day used to grow runner beans for several seasons - you basically treat them like dahlias ie lift the roots around now, dry them off, put in a container of dry sand or peat - then replant in the late Spring - gives a bit of an earlier crop.

[MarkPelican]

Climbing Beans are perennials so they should keep but (as most people say) probably not worth it. See how you get on, they can only die.

[Jungle Jane]

If/when the frost damages the plant cut it right down & it should regrow eventually,maybe put a nice mulch around the chopped stem to protect it & a plastic bottle cloche. The roots should be alright. Some of my runner beans come back the next year,I cut them right down to an inch in Oct/Nov.

[ameno]

Climbing Beans are perennials so they should keep but (as most people say) probably not worth it. See how you get on, they can only die.

They're not perennials, actually.
Runner beans are, but French beans are annual.

[muck lover]

I predict they will die. Probably quite soon.
I too find it hard to discard anything with roots. Next time test your compost with broad beans which are tougher overwinter!

[veggiechicken]

Ignore all the naysayers - every seed deserves a chance whatever time of year they are planted.
Even if they're knocked back by the cold weather, they may still regrow in spring.
Have faith and believe in your beans - I do.

[Snadger]

Ignore all the naysayers - every seed deserves a chance whatever time of year they are planted.
Even if they're knocked back by the cold weather, they may still regrow in spring.
Have faith and believe in your beans - I do.

That's what I like about VC....forever the optimist!

[Bren In Pots]

Last August I sown some Dwarf runners in a box and left them in the GH they did grow and produced tiny one inch longs beans but the plants died when the temp dropped. Don't think i'd bother again.

[MarkPelican]

They're not perennials, actually.
Runner beans are, but French beans are annual.

I live and learn

[veggiechicken]

If the definition of "Annual" is that it flowers, sets seed and dies - a bean planted late this year may flower and seed the following year - because they don't have calendars that tell them their year is over.