Runner Beans ... HELP!

[angethehippy]

Evening readers,

I'm trying to grow my first crop of runner beans - I've started them off indoors, and they're about 7"tall and healthy looking. Question is, I can't plant them straight into the ground, and would like to know is it possible to grow them in troughs? I have 2 - 32" long by 10.5" high. Obviously I'd put bean poles in them. Would this work please?

Thanks in advance,

Ange

[WendyC]

Your troughs sound a reasonable size, presuming they are a suitable depth (back to front) I wouldn't try to cram too many in as they are thirsty plants. Another thing to consider is that you may need to attach the poles to something secure as the whole thing could act like a sail in high winds!
They are frost tender and will sulk if chilled so be sure you are past your last frost date before you plant out.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hi, I grow all my runners in buckets 1 plant per bucket and do very well.

As to putting them out that would depend where you live, I am in Nottm and am looking to have them out next week but with a protective fleece to hand should it become necessary.

[angethehippy]

Your troughs sound a reasonable size, presuming they are a suitable depth (back to front) I wouldn't try to cram too many in as they are thirsty plants. Another thing to consider is that you may need to attach the poles to something secure as the whole thing could act like a sail in high winds!
They are frost tender and will sulk if chilled so be sure you are past your last frost date before you plant out.

Thank you WendyC, they will be behind an outhouse, out of the wind and in sun for a very good part of the day. It should be possible to hold back the poles against the wall with a wire strung across the top of all the canes.

Thanks.

[angethehippy]

Hi, I grow all my runners in buckets 1 plant per bucket and do very well.

As to putting them out that would depend where you live, I am in Nottm and am looking to have them out next week but with a protective fleece to hand should it become necessary.

Hi Potstubsdustbins, this looks like an excellent arrangement! Even plastic pots might do! I think what I'll do, I've got 13 of the 18 I sewed (5 never came up) put maybe 3 in the trough, the rest in tubs like yours. Yours do look impressive! I'm living in central Lincolnshire, not THAT far from your part of the world.. :-)

Ange

[Potstubsdustbins]

All I would say is watch out for wind, it will do more damage to runners than cold.