Space saving bean supprts - inverted pyramid?

[Trix]

Hi,

I'm starting to plan out my garden layout for next year and was wondering if anyone might be able to help me with something. I remember seeing a really clever bean support that was an inverted pyramid/wigwam style - it looked pretty sturdy and meant that the beans hung down the outside rather than getting lost in the middle. The problem is I have no idea where I saw it and google is not helping! Has anyone ever seen/used anything like this?

Thanks!

[alldigging]

http://www.growveg.com/growblogpost.aspx?id=187
bottom picture on that page?

[veggiechicken]

In a row, cross the bean sticks lower down to make more of an X than the traditional way of crossing them near the top of the poles. Its also easier to construct if you're a little shortie like me

[Lumpy]

I use a rose arch for the beans with an ex pallet container at the base of each ladder end. I have also put a clematis on each side to add some interest when no beans are there.

[arpoet]

All you need is an old rotating washing line. Plant your bean plants about a foot away from the bottom of the pole with canes (to support each plant) pushed into the soil and tied up to the edge of the line.
I have also seen it with an old bike wheel on a pole with stings of canes fanning upwards.

[Trix]

Oooh - some clever ideas there! alldigging - thank you - that was the picture I'd seen before. I might try more of a round/wigwam style (veggiechicken I'm a shortie too - love it when that's an advantage!). An arch or a washing line are good possibilities too - I think I have some more thinking to do...

[lottie dolly]

In a row, cross the bean sticks lower down to make more of an X than the traditional way of crossing them near the top of the poles. Its also easier to construct if you're a little shortie like me

thats what i done last season,so much better

[marchogaeth]

I think Chris put up some pictures from his allotment showing his bean cage which sloped so beans hung down. Maybe he'll be along to put up a link. I seem to remember it was very robust.

[veggiechicken]

Some ideas!

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...mes_58608.html
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...mes_70103.html

[Bigmallly]

There are a couple of variations here. Good space saving idea.

.....................

[Kristen]

If you do a X (crossing over low down) rather than an inverted V or conventional join-at-the-top wigwam make sure you bind the canes where they cross. Otherwise a bean twining around a cane can then be bruised / crushed as the canes bang together in the wind. BTDTGTTS

[sparrow100]

I grow most of my beans (and cukes) on cheap garden arches with mesh over them. It means I can stick the beans at the ends of beds and they grow over my paths.

[Mikey]

I've made the inverted one's before and have gone back to the standard a frame type.

I found the single point base made them prone to strong wind to a much greater degree, and oddly enough it was a right pain having to crouch to get at the base and gather the spurred second crop.
The beans on the whole fell outwards which helped to spot them but, it also made them a bit more exposed to the elements.

I'll try anything once but, I've gone back to vertical growing and standard A frame.

[heirloomsquash]

the X pattern system is tee pee not wigwam.

[Trix]

The arches look good and I've found some for less than £7 on ebay so that might be the way forward. Thanks all for your suggestions - some of the ideas in the old threads are fantastic!