Can runner beans be planted last year's compost ?

[Marb67]

I have a big plastic tub that I have grown runner beans in for some years./ I have always had decent results. However, I have a small garden and cannot remove the old compost as I have nowhere to put it and can't really afford to buy new. Can I just plant in the same compost, with a little composted waste from my bin added with regular feeding of comfrey when in flower to still get a harvest ?

[ESBkevin]

Yes that will work, the compost in there no longer contains many nutrients because past crops have used them up. Some fresh home made compost added and mulch (nettles and comfry work well) plus the tea or fertiliser of choice on a regular basis. The only danger exists if there are any soil born diseases that attack legumes (bean family) as they will develope stronger year on year. Also after the crop is finished cut of the roots and leave them in the ground, beans fix nitrogon on the root nodules so leaving them buried in the soil is a good start.

If you happen to have a goldfish, use the dirty water in the tub when you clean the fish bowl/tank out, thats very rich in nutrients.

[Jay-ell]

If you have it you could also add some general purpose fertiliser like blood fish and bone or growmore.

Although beans do fix nitrogen in their roots, they use that nitrogen up in producing flowers and beans (so the roots aren't that much higher in nitrogen than any other root), plus they don't fix as much as they actually need so you will need to make sure nitrogen is added.

[Marb67]

Ok, thanks. I will do that then and leave the old roots in. One mild winter they came back as full bean plants again. The beans I am going to grow this time are "Tenderstar" as they are supposed to be good.

[Jay-ell]

Runner beans are perennials but don't usually survive our winters. I've heard of some people lifting them, storing over winter and replanting and others giving them a heavy mulch - not sure if you get a better crop/earlier crop off them as I've never done it myself.

[Marb67]

The tub is 24 inches in diameter and 14 inches deep. How many beans can I plant in that size before it get's overcrowded ?

[bario1]

I'd do 6 stations with two plants at each station in a pot that size.

[Martin H]

I'm cautions and like to give things lots of space. I would put put 5 canes in and grow 5 plants.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I am like Martin ^^^^^ 5 or 6 plants otherwise it will dry out very quickly.

[Jay-ell]

As a comparison, dwarf runner beans would probably be 3 - 4 plants in that container.

[Nicos]

Marb...I was having a think about you whilst I was chatting to myself whilst weeding....

Looking at the piccie in the other thread of your larger raised bed...well, you know we keep saying that your soil looks very wet, and some of your plants aren't thriving?
Well.....
I had an idea worth considering....

You know you are digging your mother's garden?....well, do you think it worthwhile bringing back some of her soil to mix in with your compost?
It would make it drain better.
The reason I was thinking about this is that all French compost I've bought over here is peat based and things tend to either rot or dry out too quickly (depending on the weather) and I've overcome this problem by adding garden soil to the mix.

It might be worth considering for the beans .....?

If you do, check it thoroughly for bugs and weeds so you don't add more to your garden .

Just a thought whilst nattering to myself.....