SOIL PREPARATION
Prepare the soil for planting by digging over and adding plenty of organic material, such as well-rotted manure or leaf mould this
will help to improve the soil's moisture-retaining ability and fertility. Many gardeners swear by preparing a bean trench in the winter and filling it with the rotted contents of the compost bin. Once covered with soil in late spring, the seeds can then be sown on top of the trench.
Before planting, create a support for climbing runner beans. Either make a wigwam with2.4m (8ft) canes, tied together at the top, or create a parallel row of canes,which have their tops tightly secured to a horizontal cane. Each row should be60cm (23in) apart and canes spaced 15cm (6in) apart in the row.
SOWING
Sow the seed indoors or greenhouse from April-May ready to plant after the last frost
Sowing seeds indoors or in a greenhouse gives a faster and more reliable germination rate, particularly for runner beans.
Sow a single bean seed, 4cm (1.5in) deep, in a 7.5cm(3in) pot filled with multi-purpose compost.
Water well, label and place on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse to germinate. Seedlings will be ready to plant out after about three weeks. Before planting, put in a cold frame or a cool porch for a few days so that they can cope with the conditions outside.
Alternatively, climbing, runner beans can be grown from seed sown directly in the soil between the second half of May and the middle of June. plant two seeds, 2.5cm (1in) deep, next to your support and about 5cm (2in) deep for runner beans. Water well. After germination remove the smaller and less robust of the two young plants. As they grow, ensure the plants continue to twine around their canes.
WHEN THEY START TO GROW
Regular and plentiful watering is vital. Runners should be watered particularly heavily, twice a week in dry weather, both when the flower buds appear and once they're open.
Mulch around beans to help keep moisture in the soil when the conditions are dry.
Harvest:August - September
Regular picking is essential - it's true that the more you pick, the more they produce. Most should bear pods from July and cropping of all types can continue until the first frosts, or longer if plants are protected.
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