Bean Trench Timing

[vicki]

how deep do you dig the trench?
and can anyone tell me the advantages/disadvantages of growing beans on a wigwam support or as a row 'cos I'm not sure which to do - we don't really eat that many so I was thinking wigwams might be better for me?

[supersprout]

hello again matthew

cardboard? good water retention, so include in the trench, or line with cardboard - all helps weed suppression. I also use paper shreddings from the office.

vicki, how deep can you dig? start with a 1 ft deep trench - dig as you fill, so you'll know whether to go deeper. I don't cover 'sheet mulched' areas (i.e. raw compost thrown on the garden) as I think it deters potential unwanted visitors to see piles of yeccch

And do mulch your beans once they're up

[Wapentake]

Hi vicki,
My allotment is open to the wind and have found the row's are not so stable in storms, they tend to lean/break even with cross supports. I find rows take less space then a wigwam, and find harvesting easier (and heavier) as the plants keep their distance from each other.
The wigwam is more stable for wind coming from any direction (as it is built in a circle), and its easier to build.
There is also the advantage that the foilage does not totally block the sun from any plants behind it, allowing ground to be used in the summer for some crops. (Its normal to place Runners at the north end of the veg. plot because of its shadow effect).
The only disadvantages I've found is that the plants all meet at the top, making seeing/harvesting more difficult, and that a wider depth is used for the deeper wigwam, there a reduction of production/square yard.
My advise would be if you are not subject to high winds and will grow a lot of beans then use the row system, but if its only a few for fresh use, then I would use the wigwam.
I live in flat Holland with a very open landscape, so wind is always a factor.
The best advise may be to check at the nearest allotment what they do, as they have more experience of your local conditions/problems.

Good luck.

[Earthbabe]

.......The only disadvantages I've found is that the plants all meet at the top, making seeing/harvesting more difficult,.......

Hi Wapentake.

It is for this reason that I grow Blauhilde (purple) climbing beans when growing french beans. Oh and they taste great too. As soon as there is a purple runner I'll be growing that too!!! (Or a yellow one of course!)

[irishcraftworker]

I'm new here too! I also a novice as well. I've just prepared my runner bean trench, lined with newspaper, threw in compost, and manure. I've covered the trench with soil, and covered that with newspaper until I'm ready to plant it up.

I've just subscribed to grow the Grow your Own magazine, so looking forward to help from that and the forum.

Most of my efforts, successes and failures are documented on my blog at www.irishcraftworker.typepad.com

[Earthbabe]

Welcome to the Vine both.

[JennieAtkinson]

Welcome to the Vine Irishcraftworker. Hope you enjoy it - and the mag!

[roitelet]

Welcome to both the new seedlings from across the water

[Hans Mum]

welcome both...

does the trench have to be moved every year, crop rotation?, we were thinking of erecting an A FRame construction from some round metal pole things & fittings which I found at the back of my dads greenhouse, we wouldnt want to move that every year.
Thanks

[Alison]

I know plently of people who don't move their's and simply dig out a trench every year so that the beans are growning in new soil and they seem to do OK however I've always moved mine every year to get the benefits of the nitrogen in the soil from the beans for my next crop.

[Poledragon]

I like shifting my beans round every year too, for the same reason as Alison. This year I'm going to put a bean trench in along the western edges of a row of deep-dug beds (which will shortly become no-dig beds!) where they butt up to a fence. I'm hoping the fence will give them some shelter, and I can invite my neighbours to help themselves! As I always grow too many.

Two main varieties this year will be Celebration from alanromans.com and Coal, from the Heritage Seed Library.