Bean Bed Idea

[jonohanson]

This year my beans seem to be lacking oomph, I put this down to malnutrition.

I will be embarking on creating a bean trench this year. Will I be ok lining the trench with left over plants, i.e tatty brassicas, pumpkin foliage (I have a huge amount of this), tomato plants, pepper plants etc?

Are there any no-no's when creating bean trenches?

Thanks in advance

[rustylady]

That's fine. Dig your trench, fill with compostable stuff and leave it to rot down over winter.

[Mikey]

As much leafy growth as you've got.

I'm also trying something new for next year, as beans are perennial. I'll be cutting mine down and storing over winter to start a fresh in the spring. Its supposed to bring the beans on several weeks ahead as you've got significantly more root growth in the second year.

My father has done the trench thing for more years than I care to remember, and the advantages are less watering during the summer, less problems with disease and much more richer leafy growth. He takes great pride in being the first to have beans on his site every year.

[mrswadders]

Hi Mikey, how would you store the plants please? Might have a go at this myself.
I didn't trench my beans this year and theyv'e been really slow although they are making up for it now. Will definately pull my finger out and get it done this year, good way of using up all that courgette and marrow foilage instead of filling my dalek

[jonohanson]

Brilliant, I can now dispose of my old plants this way, my compost bins are already brimming, bloomin giant pumpkins, I didn't realise how much they would sprawl.

[arpoet]

About Easter I fill my bean trench with shredded paper topped with well rotted compost and or manure. Then I lay down corrugated cardboard and cover this with spent hops, then put my canes up.
I sow beans, (over a few weeks) in loo rolls in the greenhouse and when they are starting to climb (and the weather is non to cold), I plant em out through the cardboard and hops.
I always grow in the same place, grow several varieties including climbing frenchies and leave a few pods to set seeds.
I grow about 30 to 40 plants ever year and pick em young. I should still be picking for a month or so yet, and longer if we don't get a heavy frost.