Moon Light Runner Beans

[Two_Sheds]

We've been eating them for about a fortnight, they're very prolific and the pods are huge (12" long). I'm leaving the rest on the plants to use as butter beans

[Potstubsdustbins]

White lady & Red Rum here, started picking both last week. Should be in full production next week then the freezing starts.

Colin

[reetnproper]

Should be in full production next week then the freezing starts.

Colin

Which reminds me - must start getting the ice cubes frozen, ready for bean blanching

Reet
x

[Shadylane]

Ah that's a bit unfair to the frenchies Shadylane. Did you try cloching them?

No, but I didn't know we were getting a frost, I stop checking after early June Even after the weather's picked up they're still dragging their feet. Our site is very windy, very exposed and prone to frost pockets - fighting a losing battle really with softies.

reetnproper - yeah it's prob the weather too. They're all climbers, I have a mish mash of runners, borlotti and some french climber that I can't recall. Last 2 years only grown runners which everyone else on here seems to grow also.

Me mums runners (she lives 3 min drive away from allotment) have set already, infact she had one big enough to eat. The difference in growth stages between her garden and our plot is staggering sometimes. Or it could just be her fingers are greener than mine

[vegnut]

My Moonlight have set as with most other grapes, and they are diddly at the mo. Looking forward to a good scoff in a few weeks though.

[The Large One]

Had white lady last year with very good results
bought the new moonlight from Amateur garden show in sept and got them in the ground v.early with fleeceprotection
been eating them for last 2-3 weeks and and first i thought..pah...but they have really started to take off so picking every other day and have store of them in fridge and plenty already frozen
i'm trying to keep on top of picking them young instead of 1 pick in a week where some can get a bit tough

[Poolcue]

Moonlight

These have proved to be a disaster for me.My first batch sown in the conservatory in early May had a zero germination rate,the second lot in June was 2 out of 12 and the one's planted directly into the garden in July are 1 for 12.I think I will not be trying them again.Maybe i just got a duff packet.

[Storming Norman]

Runners are so good this year - were rubbish last year. Moonlight have now been picking for 2 weeks and same with the Celebration beans - rest are just catching up.

Cobras though are way behind though - started picking here at the same time which is late for this bean in our area.

I find its either a french bean or a runner bean year - one is always far more prolific.

Found a slug at least 4 foot up on the beans yesterday - grrr!

[BarleySugar]

I picked my first moonlights today, I've not managed to get on the plot for over a week, because the one and only key to the exterior gate had been posted through someone's door who had gone on holiday. Son no2 had been up several times though, (he could climb over the gate) and was convinced there was a bean rustler about because they just weren't growing. However we got enough to give some away as well as enough for a couple of days for ourselves, so I'm hoping we are now in production. There are loads of flowers, and they look better than a lot of the red flowered ones on other people's plots. Of course, the test will truly be in the tasting
Also picked 2 carrier bags of courgettes/marrows and a fair few french beans. I've put the 'spare' freezer on in anticipation.

[binley100]

Celebration, painted lady and white lady ......all sown and planted out at the same time . We've started picking white lady and I'm very impressed with them .

[gojiberry]

Just started picking moonlight, really strong plants full of flower and up to the top of the sticks. French beans have started to take of but cold evenings in June have held them back. Planted out a late crop of runners (own seed) at beginning of month and they have started climbing so should be al-right for tender beans upto the first frost. Not keen on frozen beans so only go for beans in season.

Ian

[Flummery]

Wahey! 2 of them are just about big enough to pick. I shall wait till next week when I can get a portion for two. Last year, once they came, they came in profusion.