Rows or wigwams?

[Raybon]

I go for bean wigwams myself. We have really hot summers here in London and the wigwams offer a bit of respite to each other from the sun as it moves around them....have seen rows suffer in the relentless bombardment of sunshine!

My tip is about putting up a wigwam.....have learned not to mess about with trying to bind canes with string.......I use big elastic bands wound in and out of the tops which keep a firm hold, adjust easily when you splay the canes out into position. The top can then be secured firmly with string once in place, if you like.

Apols if this is an old Idea. It's new to me!

[Martin H]

I use big elastic bands wound in and out of the tops which keep a firm hold, adjust easily when you splay the canes out into position. The top can then be secured firmly with string once in place, if you like.

Nice idea, I'm going to try that this year. I do find the wigwam can get a bit unstable late in the season.

[AllInContainers]

Rows or wigwams? Both! Rows of wigwams braced together.

Last year I had problems with my tomatoes blowing over (lost a few trusses that way) and ended up going for a row with outriggers. I lined the toms up, connected the spires and wigwams they were each growing up with a horizontal cane across the top, and then put additional canes in as bracing legs. It worked brilliantly, and saved me from any more damage.

I'll see if I can find a pic ...

[AllInContainers]

Here we go ...

[Raybon]

Also trying out hooped canes round base of bean wigwams this year, four hoops per eight canes, centre of hoop tied firmly to every second cane, ends pushed firmly into ground to give extra support. Hopefully will discourage the fox cubs from dodging in and out of the wigwam and knocking stuff down......

[Greenleaves]

I do neither, I plant two uprights with a cross bar and tie in canes at around 70 degrees on one side only. My though being that the beans will hang down and be easy to pick. In addition I can use the growing space at the base.

[Raybon]

I like the idea of using the space underneath. Have grown quick crop radishes/lettuces in centre of wigwams before beans get too tall. Shades and shelters the lettuces beautifully.

[kathycam]

I also grow wigwams with other crops around it.

[Ja9]

Elastic bands a good idea as always tricky trying to hold it all together and tie at the same time.
I have used a variety of wigwams for climbing French beans,weaved willow and canes.Runners usually up tall canes in inverted V with bracing top canes to support about 5 pairs. They still get a bit wobbly by the end of the season.
At Harlow Carr RHS garden in Harrogate they had beautiful wooden arches. I have copied this for some years using cheap black metal ones that span from raised bed to raised beds across the path, thus saving space. My sweet peas go up them too. This year I am forming a tunnel of 5 arches which I think will look pretty with a variety of different bean flowers and drip with the beans making them very easy to pick.

[sparrow100]

I use arches too - they are really pretty when they are dripping with beans, and they take up a lot less space growing at the end of the bed and over a path.

[Raybon]

Still need some shade for my beans, but going to pinch that sweet pea idea! Scented pleasure every time you walk through it, lovely.

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

Awesome ideas here guys. I have been working on edging and paths around my beds today and will be looking to incorporate some uprights and horizontal bars to make further use of the space! Thank you!

[andy_j]

I use rows on the allotment and a wigwam when i grow them in tubs at home.

The method i use for securing the tops of wigwams is to use a cable tie.

[Knight of Albion]

I was going to do wigwams this year, with cane grips, because I'd hurt my hand.
However the hand healed up so given the choice I put up lines.
I feel lines should, at least in theory, produce a better harvest due to receiving more sunlight.

I put up a trial wigwam as a control so I'll be able to make a comparison.