Runner Bean Tunnel

[Bigmallly]

Thinking ahead to next year!..........As I only have a half plot, I was thinking of utilizing the paths between the raised beds. One idea I had in mind was to make 8' tall archways between the beds over the paths to grow runner beans. My thinking is I can then make better use of the beds. Do you think it would work & if so, is there anything else that may grow over an arch. Thanks in advance.

[veggiechicken]

Cucumbers, squashes, grapevine, peas, achocha,sweet peas............
Here is one I prepared earlier but it hasn't worked because my beans have failed miserably

I had hoped to grow them at the higher level and lead them out across the top so that I could pick them from underneath. On the lower level are pots of climbing squashes and more beans.

[Bigmallly]

Yep, that's something like what I have in mind but it wont be a permanent structure as I rotate the beds so was thinking of using canes & string. Not sure if it will work though.

[veggiechicken]

Mines not permanent either. Just some scrounged fat bamboo canes, held in place with bent nails and cable ties and string. It would work as I previously grew beans outwards over the lower path, but hadn't followed it through by putting another set of poles on the lower level.
As you say, the space between your raised beds is wasted, so with a row of canes on both sides, the obvious next step is to connect the two. Nothing ventured.......

[taff]

did that ladt year, photos in one of my albums, make sure you leave plenty of room under them or you'll be crouching to pick. 8ft canes are not high enough.

[veggiechicken]

did that ladt year, photos in one of my albums, make sure you leave plenty of room under them or you'll be crouching to pick. 8ft canes are not high enough.

They are when you're only 5' tall, taff

[Bigmallly]

did that ladt year, photos in one of my albums, make sure you leave plenty of room under them or you'll be crouching to pick. 8ft canes are not high enough.

I know what you mean taff so was thinking of putting some tubes in the soil first, inserting canes into the tubes then linking them all together so then taking into account the height of the beds, the structure should come in around 7-8 foot high.

[Bigmallly]

Have just checked out your album taff, my plan is to have the canes vertical not wigwam as that will cost me height & width.

[veggiechicken]

You big apes can reach anything - I'm more of a marmoset!
I can just about reach the underside of my tunnel but I needed a 6'+ neighbour to help construct it.
Bits of blue tube in the ground first would be a good solution as you could leave those in place permanently and move the canes as required.

[Bigmallly]

Bits of blue tube in the ground first would be a good solution as you could leave those in place permanently and move the canes as required.

That's a good plan. Because the paths are only 2'6" wide, I wondered if blue tube could also be used to construct the arch shape on top of the canes..

[veggiechicken]

I've never used blue tube in constructing anything but you've used it for your cages, I think? Would it bend into a right angle?
D'oh. Just realised you meant constructing the cross bar from blue tube, not just using it as a connector. A half hoop of blue - sounds good to me

[PMW]

I used one of these cheap arches from amazon for £9.



This is what it looked like on 18th July



Needless to say its a bit more overgrown now but the beans are doing great.

[Bigmallly]

Yes, I have also looked at those PMW but my experience in using similar has been that the joints have always rotted / rusted. Plus my beds are 25' long so would have to take out a loan (not that I would use the whole 25' but would have the option). Thanks for the thought though, it's appreciated.

[PMW]

Should be an impressive tunnel, but that must be a hell of a lot of beans! I know mine is small scale, but even with the small arch we are struggling to eat runner beans at the rate they are being produced.

You're probably right about the joints as its not the best quality, but fine for my use and hopefully last another year or two.

[Two_Sheds]

that must be a hell of a lot of beans! ...we are struggling to eat runner beans at the rate they are being produced.

Do you like butter/kidney beans?

they're just the mature beans inside the runner/French bean pods (butter beans are different, but I use the white runner bean seeds as butter beans)