What could I plant under my beans?

[Likac66]

I have put up two rose arches across a path on my allotment. The arches legs are about 18" into each bed either side and I will be putting netting over the top for runner beans to grow up. However, I don't like wasted space and am wondering what I could plant on the inside of the arches that could grow there while the beans are first growing? I guess it could get quite dark under there when the beans are in full growth so it might not be possible to grow anything in there at that point.

I had thought quick crops like radishes could work. Lettuce and maybe baby spinach?

Anyone got any other ideas?

Thanks.

[dandalady]

quick crops - as you say radish, lettuce, various salad leaves

[Dotty Sarah]

This could be wrong but I've a feeling beetroot tolerate a bit of shade.

[Likac66]

I wonder if turnips would be quick enough?

[mothhawk]

Can I just say, make sure the arch isn't too high. I grew beans up a netted rose arch last year, and the beans grew up it beautifully and covered the top of the arch. BUT, the beans that set up there did not, as I thought they would, hang down through the net so I could pick them under the arch. I had to get a step ladder and climb up to pick them. And they were very hard to spot, even though there were loads of them up there. It was a pain, and I'm back to wigwamming this year.

[cazp]

Nasturtiums are nice and colourful and I think they lure aphids away from vegetable plants. That's what I've got planted around mine.

[Linzy]

I think i would go for spinach, lettuce and maybe some swiss chard as they love a little shade in the hot summer

[shona_b]

parsley likes a bit of shade as do some other herbs - might be worth looking at?

[PMW]

I used an arch last year, which was very successful for the beans, but the chard I planted underneath didn't do very well at all. I think this may have been down to slug damage more than anything else though. I guess salad leaves/rocket etc. should do okay.

Careful siting of the arch should ensure you are able to reach the beans. Unfortunately I wasn't careful. The arch was just in front of a 5ft wall, which made it difficult to get around the back. It was also underneath a few overhanging branches from next doors apple tree. Somehow the beans managed to cross the gap and climb their way through the tree so I ended up with beans 15ft up!

I had more beans than we could eat though and it made a nice feature in the garden so good luck!

[Likac66]

Well so far I've planted some mixed lettuce leaves, radishes and beetroot under there. I have ordered some speedy veg seeds including baby carrots and turnips so might try those as well.

I have planted nasturtiums dotted around as well.

Thanks for the ideas.

[Newton]

I thought speedy just did plant hire.......not seeds!