Runner Beans - now I've never tried that!

[rana]

I have managed to keep runner beans over 3 seasons but as they age the yield falls off. The advantage is an earlier crop but it is quite a faff to dig up, trim and store the roots in the autumn.

[Alison]

Funnily enough was reading my seed saving book yesterday and it mentioned exactly the same thing as a way of ensuring that you have beans true to type in a second season considering they cross fertilise so easily. It said there that you can only do it for 2 or 3 years though as they get weaker over time which sounds like what Rana has found.

[chriscross1966]

Might be an idea to do it with a few each year to get a jump on the next year, but grow them in a bit where something else will be going once the seed grown ones come on stream....


re: Flummery's post.... I though CToT was a shelling bean?

chrisc

[Alison]

Trail of Tears can be used as either fresh or dried, I grow it for fresh and it's very good.

[tigress60]

Something else you can try.
Imstead of the useuall way of setting the bean canes as in wigwam style like this /\
try this method \/ that way the beans hang outside so easier to get to also they get more light
i done this for a few years works well for me

[rana]

Interesting idea Tigress but with the weight of greenery don't the inverted wigwams become unstable? - It is sometimes a problem keeping a normal wigwam upright!

[Flummery]

Might be an idea to do it with a few each year to get a jump on the next year, but grow them in a bit where something else will be going once the seed grown ones come on stream....


re: Flummery's post.... I though CToT was a shelling bean?

chrisc

I prefer it fresh - it's my favourite fresh green bean. I don't find the seeds inside big enough for shellers - I go for Bird's egg for that.