Runner beans for a beginner

[Snoop Puss]

I had runner beans when I was back in Britain recently and loved them. So I'd like to try growing some. However, the growing conditions will be very dry and hot air (I water every day, so the ground shouldn't be too bad) and on occasions extremely windy for days on end.

Is it feasible to grow runners in these circumstances? (I've given up on climbing French beans, just in case that's relevant information.) If so, can anyone give me any recommendations? I'll be buying seed from the UK if I do grow them, as I've never seen runner beans themselves or the seeds for sale here, just French beans.

Thanks.

[Thelma Sanders]

I never managed to get any runners when I tried in Greece
Simply too hot in Summer, even if grown in shade!

I tried sowing in Spring, with no success - and also tried sowing in Autumn, still no success. So good luck if you try.

[jackarmy]

I tried Scarlet Emperor for my first effort last year and they did me proud

[DannyK]

Yard Long Beans might be worth a try if heat is an issue as they are grown in SE Asia.

[Zelenina]

What I found with growing runner beans here in Slovakia is that the plants will survive the heat OK if they have enough water, but the flowers just fall off without setting any pods. I didn't get any beans until damper, cooler weather arrived at the end of August. There are some varieties that are supposed to be more heat tolerant than usual, and I can try to find you some names of them, but I don't know how they would do in Spain. Generally French beans are said to be better in heat than runners. I discovered that a lot of summer vegetables are grown in Spain using shaded polytunnels, which conserve water and maintain a cooler and more humid atmosphere. So maybe that would work for you.

[Zelenina]

In parts of Spain runner beans with large white seeds are grown, but they are used for drying and shelling, rather than for green beans. They might be more heat tolerant than British varieties, but the pods may not be so good for eating as they haven't been bred for that purpose. One variety is called Judión de La Granja. http://eljudiondelagranja.blogspot.com

[alldigging]

Dig a pit.
Line pit with newspaper.
Fill it with all the recent compost waste. And some fresh muck.

Top off with some soil and then in May sow your beans. plant them in a wigwam shape over the pit.

The rich pit of organic waste will hold more water for them which they like.

[Greenleaves]

Try Firestorm as it is self fertile and sets extremely well

[Snoop Puss]

Thanks for the growing advice, guys. And thanks Thelma and Zelenina. I wondered if the heat might be an issue. That said, Firestorm look like they can cope with high temperatures. Thanks Greenleaves. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I guess!

[burnie]

You could try the things we can't unless under cover, like Lima or Faver beans, which end up as my favourite Butter Beans if left to ripen.

[mothhawk]

Try Firestorm as it is self fertile and sets extremely well

I was going to suggest Firestorm too, as it's a cross between a runner and a French bean. Runner beans need a night-time temp of below 12C for flowers to set but Firestorm is more heat tolerant because of the FB genes.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Another vote for Firestorm as a self fertile runner.

[happyhumph]

You could try the things we can't unless under cover, like Lima or Faver beans, which end up as my favourite Butter Beans if left to ripen.

Think burnie's got a point - I can't grow borlotti beans well for love or money as too windy which makes it to cold. That and try firestorm as others have suggested. Mind you, we gardeners are always optimists about something we really really want to grow! (I'm trying melons & I'm not exactly in a sun trap.....)

[Bigmallly]

Not sure if it would work but as heat seems to be an issue, could you adapt to growing in the cooler seasons instead of summer..........just a thought.

[Lumpy]

What about a dwarf variety like Hestia. If you tried them in pots you could have water trays underneath them and the top foliage might help retain a bit of water. They would also be easier to move into a cooler, shaded area if need be.