Runner Bean - Tried and Tested Variety

[Kittypickle]

We had good results with Celebration last year, masses of them and aren't really runner fans. They didn't get any water other than when the seedlings were first planted out either but having said that were grown on soil which pigs had rotavated so was pretty fertile.

[Florence Fennel]

I wanted to sow my beans yesterday (Scarlet Emperor saved from last year) and I can't buddy find them. Ordering some today, but after re-reading this thread I might have a change.

[Florence Fennel]

As for stringiness, I always shave beans down the sides as well as top and tail.

Have you got the gadget that strings beans? I bought one a couple of years ago as recommended on here from Lakeland I think. I'm not one for faddy things, but the beans look really posh when you put them through the handy little cutter.

[hamsterqueen]

My usual is Scarlet Emperor. Last year's bean harvest was poor for me for the first time ever - not sure what went wrong.

mine too, nothing produced more than one or two beans..runners,dwarf runners, string less, french, climbing and dwarf. I am normally sick and tired of beans by the end of the season. I did nothing differently to other years.

In answer to original question I am trying St George this year.

[VirginVegGrower]

Have you got the gadget that strings beans? I bought one a couple of years ago as recommended on here from Lakeland I think. I'm not one for faddy things, but the beans look really posh when you put them through the handy little cutter.

No, I just use a sharp sabatier veg knife, but I might have a look if there is a special gadget as it would make prepping them before freezing a lot easier.

[Florence Fennel]

No, I just use a sharp sabatier veg knife, but I might have a look if there is a special gadget as it would make prepping them before freezing a lot easier.

You'd love it VVG honest, it's really quick and easy to do, much better than a knife or scissors as it strings them too.
I've forsaken the Scarlet Emperor this year and have sown Enorma and White Lady. Thought that might be a nice mix if I alternate them on my wigwam. Red and white flowers.

[Jeanied]

I'm with Flo on the bean de- stringer - mine is a small box shaped gadget with a set of cutter blades in it - you poke the bean through and discard the outer two slices - then chop the shredded bean into dainty lengths.
My beans are self sown these days - I think they used to be scarlet emperor but that would have been a few years ago - also there are some St George in there grown new last year from some seeds Ginger gave me. So I have my own race of lottie beans.

[ginger ninger]

I sowed 24 "Moonlight" and only 4 have germinated, so I wouldn't recommend them...very disappointed with them. But on the other hand my 16 St George have all germinated, but they were the first up last year.

[jumpinjack]

Wisley Magic

I have used this one for the last 3 years and got loads of long beans. We found the taste a bit bland though, so I looked through the RHS award winners list for something with a good taste and as a result am trying Celebration as well - according to the blurb on the packet it has a long season, excellent flavour - and rosy pink flowers. £3.29 from T & M mail order.

[ginger ninger]

I have used this one for the last 3 years and got loads of long beans. We found the taste a bit bland though, so I looked through the RHS award winners list for something with a good taste and as a result am trying Celebration as well - according to the blurb on the packet it has a long season, excellent flavour - and rosy pink flowers. £3.29 from T & M mail order.

I've grown "Celebration" before and there all they say they are...really enjoyed them. They didn't go stringy until the very end by then I was saving there beans.