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Gardeners World blog

Grow & eat

They're off!

Posted by: Jane Moore, 12 September 2007, 09.56AM

Runner beans After a slow start my runner beans are finally off and away and are producing a late but very welcome crop. At the start of the season I wondered if they were going to get past the first post (or up the first foot or so of cane actually). Slugs and snails paid them a great deal of attention - a lot more than Lizzy and me - and the cold, damp weather seemed to stop them in their tracks. If you need some tips on growing beans take a look at the rhs website.

They just sat there for weeks, getting nibbled steadily, and valiantly producing a few more leaves which the slugs then decimated again. But, since summer has officially arrived (in time for the last bank holiday of August) they've rocketed up their poles, gamely produced a decent show of flowers and now I'm getting some beans at long last. If you're suddenly overwhelmed by beans Delia's got a lovely chutney recipe.

This year, we're growing a variety that I've wanted to try for years. It's beautifully named 'Painted Lady' and it appeals to the girlie in me with its two-tone red and white flowers. These beans may not fruit (I s'pose that's the right term - it doesn't sound quite right for beans somehow?) as well as other varieties with their exhibition names of 'Enorma' and 'Best of All' but it doesn't half look pretty. And we're usually inundated with beans, so a few less just makes the crop more manageable for us and our dainty, girlie appetites. We wish!

Comments

  • Andrea Boyd

    15 September 2007, 09.32PM

    Hi Jane, Really interesting to read about your probs with runner beans this year. I'm a beginner gardener, and my children and I decided to grow runner beans for the first time. We've also had a late crop, and had to cope with nasty slugs too!! Thanks for the tips!!

  • Dennis

    16 September 2007, 03.26PM

    I grow beans in pots-never fails and Slugs and Snails are very few.

  • jinny Stoel

    18 September 2007, 07.34PM

    Why is it that whenever past presenters of gardeners world are celebrated, Geoffrey Smith is never mentioned? He was an informative and enthusiastic presenter. Along with Geoff Hamilton he was a gardener I learned a huge amount from. I hate to see him so ignored.

  • Fr John

    18 September 2007, 12.17PM

    I too was wondering if my runner beans were ever going to arrive, in spite of having strong plants which were planted out at the right time. But like you they are now showing good form. Thought it was because im in central Scotland. Thanks for the encoragemet

  • Maggie C

    23 September 2007, 11.35AM

    I was interested to read about your slow starting runner beans. All of my beans sulked this year and have only just started to produce pods. I won't have a glut, which is very disappointing and frustrating! I thought it was because I'm growing on a different patch that has never grown beans before, but perhaps weather and slugs are really to blame. Maybe next year will be better!

  • John Whitlam

    24 September 2007, 01.58AM

    I wonder if anyone can help me in my seemingly endless and increasingly frustrating search for the signature tune to one of the gardening programmes which was presented by Geoffrey Smith in the 70's/80's? It was a very lively tune played by a brass band. I cannot be certain that the programme was Gardeners' World because he also presented other gardening programmes. My address is johnlwhitlam@hotmail.com Many thanks.

  • jacko1

    26 September 2007, 09.16PM

    Try Wisley Magic T & M. Grown them for the past two years and have picked since May, have 6lb frozen already use deep root trainers in feb/mar and I am no expert tried painted lady before without great success

  • hugh munro

    04 November 2007, 11.27AM

    hi i myself is new to gardening this year and i brought 3 packets of runner beans from wilkos dont know the variety but was late planting them anyway got a massive crop have froze 50 lbs for myself and must have gave away 150/180lbs to friends and family. when is the best time totake down the old plants as i want to use remaining pods for next years seeds?

  • annie

    05 November 2007, 08.06PM

    This is our first year at growing runner beans. We have two raised beds in the garden. We had fresh beans a plenty and a drawer full in the freezer. Can't wait till next year.

  • Julie E

    10 April 2008, 09.30PM

    I have been given some mange tout seeds in a plain envelope so have no sowing instructions - should I just treat them like peas?

  • mizzzy

    17 April 2007, 11.50PM

    im a first time gardener n your piece really helped thanx.

  • Anon

    31 July 2008, 08.42PM

    Hi My runner beans are not setting loads of flowers but they keep dropping off I give them plenty of water and there are loads of bees about any ideas?

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