Beanpoles.

[threepeas]

hi

This is my first year at growing beans, can i ask if anyone knows of anywhere in east sussex that i can get some beanpoles from?

[Alison]

Hello Threepeas - I use 8' long bamboo canes in wigwams which you can get from the likes of B&Q / Homebase etc. If you look after them then you can use them for years. Other people make rows but I find the wigwams are more stable to any high winds but it will also depend on how many you want to grow.

[rustylady]

As Alison says, 8 feet bamboo canes will do fine. Much more stable in wigwams than in a straight row. On my lottie I use wigwams, plus a structure which I inherited which is made from aluminium goalposts (or that is what it looks like) with connecting bits.

[pipscariad]

Hello, welcome to the Vine threepeas (love your avatar!).

I'm another bamboo cane fan - I got mine at my local hardware shop, who sells them individually for 10p each, which is a bargain, but a bit of a long way for you to travel!

In the past I have used rustic hazel poles, which looked really lovely, but only lasted one season before they broke.

Here's to a great spring & summer of gardening.

[Llamas]

Theres a whole week dedacated to beanpoles! http://www.beanpoles.org.uk/
Vrry good as it supports local wildlife and woodland managment.

[carlseawolf]

I cut the bamboo i have growing in the gardens at work and it works just as well but FREE !

[FionaH]

Just don't make the same mistake as me. You do not need four wigwams of beans to feed a family of four!!

[Liza]

If you have a Wilkinson's near you I have found them the cheapest so far

[chriscross1966]

Just don't make the same mistake as me. You do not need four wigwams of beans to feed a family of four!!

Grow varieties that you can doubel up as shelling beans if they get a bit big.... Blue Lake, Cherokee Trail of Tears, Borlotti etc.... there are others you can grow but I'll be doing all those this year.... not a massive fan of green beans to be honest but love the shelled ones......

chrisc

[threepeas]

thank you guys for all your ideas i think i am going to go down the cane idea and find somewhere that sell them near us and make a wigwam. Wish me luck!!!

(The avatar was drawn by my wife, she draws for a living.)

[taff]

try an ironmongers shop, if you have a local one,mines the cheapest I've found for them.

[geoff]

Yes, 6 to 8 foot bamboo canes are ideal, placed in a wigwam shape You don't have to tie them together at the very top;18'' to 2' below the tops will do, then the highest beans will hang outside and be easier to pick
See if you can get hold of some used shotgun cartridges to put over the ends of the canes; that will prevent you poking your eye out on them
You can buy special plastic clips to fit the canes together if you don't know how to tie them. Send for a few seed catalogues, most seed merchants have a small selection of garden accessories as well. You can also see the large selection of beans available