What are my runner beans doing?

[Scarlet]

My OH is the same potty but I really hate preparing them.

[Martin H]

I find the same thing, the first lot of flowers drop off with no beans behind them. I just wait, it doesn't take long for them to start forming.

Mind you, I saw our allotment runner bean maestro this afternoon watering his runners from overhead, with a watering can, so that the water trickled down the plant. I can't see how this would make a difference, but he does it anyway and gets good results.

[Alison]

Sick of runners..... never one of my favourite veg. SWMBO even freezes them to keep me happy throughout the year.

I like them fresh but don't think they're anywhere near as nice frozen. Frenchies do much better.

My OH is the same potty but I really hate preparing them.

Really? I just chop the ends off and slice them through. Takes seconds so long as you pick them before they need stringing. How do you prep them, am guessing it must be something more complex.

[Jay-ell]

I wouldn't give up - mine haven't started flowering yet amd I know that come October im going to be stuffing beans into the freezer left right and centre.

Think of the first flowers as flags to get the bees attention. They'll keep throwing out flowers throughout the season and once the bees have learned where the nectar source is they're going to keep coming back.

Last year I sowed my beans late and had to beat them to death in November and I'm still eating the frozen beans. This year I've sowm earlier from saved beans and I've planted a couple more plants than last year.

[bario1]

Runner beans, yuck - all squeak and hair! I don't like okra either for the same reason.

French beans on the other hand....

[Martin H]

Fresh runner beans are the best, definitely better flavoured than frenchies. Pick them young, sweet and tender. Mine won't be long now, I saw yesterday that a few were setting. I can't wait!

They just aren't the same after they've been frozen, though, whether we blanch or not they lose flavour and texture.

[1Bee]

I much prefer the flavour of French Beans... sorry. I grow runners for the fun, and for Husband. I blanch and freeze chopped FBs and they go in curries and chilli.... *drool* I'm always happy to have a freezer drawer full of them!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Not a French bean person myself, much prefer runners. But if we all liked the same thing there would be one very busy gent and one very busy lady in this world.

#17 Yep Martin I do the same with a spray on a hose, mind you I would roll up one trouser leg and dance with bells on the other to get my crop of runners.

[Dorothy rouse]

I grow all, but definitely favourite is the Dwarf French Bean, love them, runners are ok, but have to be very small for my liking. The runners Lady Di, are just beginning to flower.

Dwarf borlotti are nice to, very pretty, just beginning flower also.

[Alison]

I grow all, but definitely favourite is the Dwarf French Bean, love them, runners are ok, but have to be very small for my liking. The runners Lady Di, are just beginning to flower.

Dwarf borlotti are nice to, very pretty, just beginning flower also.

Do you only grow the dwarf types, I find that the climbing ones are much more productive (and kinder on my back )