Runner bean supports

[Two_Sheds]

trained along horizontal ropes ...an equivalent height of about 12ft.

I've always stopped my beans at picking height (5'6" or so). Maybe next year I'll arrange my bamboos in an arch-type affair so I get that horizontal "height" too

I am - just getting my first runners up to the point of picking for Sunday Dinner.

I've been picking your Moonlights for a fortnight or so, they are lovely

[chris]

I've not had ANY beans yet, my plants are still tiny

[Potstubsdustbins]

2 Sheds the other thing I like about the horizontal rope is that the beans hang in free air so you get lovely long straight beans.

Colin

[susieq100]

I've got tons of flowers - and some tiny beans, I do hope I get a glut!

[Bren In Pots]

Mines at the same stage Susie

[Florence Fennel]

Mine are at that stage too, but strangely last night I noticed one bean at the very bottom of a pole, that is about 12" long and obviously ready to pick. Just the one!

[dave_norm_smith]

Just had my third harvest in a week (basically catching up after the holiday). I been making a bean and pea combo after robbing the idea from Rick Stein - Spain. Pity I didn't have the artichokes as well but it was mighty nice with the fresh spuds!

[pipkins]

I am in to my second week of picking Moonlights

[StephenH]

The taller, the better. I'm using 8' bamboo canes this year, and already one of my 'Painted Ladies' has reached the top, and gone on past it, so that it has the top 18 inches or so hanging around in mid-air. In the past - and I think in the future - I've used poles cut from nearby woodland, even longer - 10' or so, though somewhat less after I've pushed the bottom end into the ground - and I recommend that, if you've got access to woodland. (I should add that I don't cut down growing wood, but there's always plenty of long branches lying around.) This has the other advantages of looking better - more rustic and natural - and of having short spurs of side branches, which can help the bean get a grip.

[StephenH]

Dont forget this: National Beanpole Week 2011National Beanpole Week 2011 calls on gardeners to support Britain’s coppiced woodlands by choosing eco-friendly, locally-grown coppiced beanpoles instead of imported bamboo canes.

Hooray!!!!

[Two_Sheds]

The taller, the better.

Is it though? I've always believed that you pinch out the growing tip to force the plant into producing more (fruiting) side shoots

[ginger ninger]

Is it though? I've always believed that you pinch out the growing tip to force the plant into producing more (fruiting) side shoots

That's what I do with my runners...nip the ends out that is. I'm stormed under with runner beans to the point that I'm having to freeze them now. I made runner bean chutney last night as well...recipe here if anyone wants to make it as well.

[Bren In Pots]

Thanks for the recipe GN it'll be handy when my beans get bigger, just wondering did you mince or chop your beans finely ?

[LittleShamrock]

I only have three runner bean plants, I'm sure i sowed many more, but somehow these are the only ones to have survived. They're up a wigwam of canes, just starting to flower. I really wish I had more plants as they look so lovely and I love beans

I saw a lovely thing someone had done with beans - they'd made like a little wigwam hut sort of thing, out of bamboo and willow, and grew lots of beans up it with an opening for a door, perfect for the kids to get some shade in, and do the bean picking while they're in there!

[ginger ninger]

Thanks for the recipe GN it'll be handy when my beans get bigger, just wondering did you mince or chop your beans finely ?

I finely sliced mine length ways, then into inch long pieces...otherwise they'd have been faaaaaaar too long to do much with