Runner beans

What a disaster, white flowered runner beans, nearly all the flowers dropped off in spite of me misting them daily the ones that did manage to make it were deformed,and I did not rate the flavour, I however had the presence of mind to purchase some red flowered ones from the green grocers, the slugs ate half of them in spite of slug bait, but I do have 6 healthy plants albeit late with flower buds on so here's hoping. The flower garden did well, the tree lily is 6ft tall in its 3rd year covered in huge perfumed trumpets When I can remember how to post pictures will show you. the new Thompson /Morgans tiny plugs have to be seen to be believed the Columbines in particular have huge long spurs on, when those tiny plugs arrived my 1st reaction was horror but noted the roots were as big as the tops potted them up watched them carefully lo and behold lots of beautiful blooms
Well today we finally have rain because we are off to Brighton for a week! house/garden sitting for no 2 daughter hope fully my garden won't die. I would be grateful for a reminder on how to post pictures. Rosie tu tu

 

Hi Rosie,

Lack of bees this year.

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Well last year I grew runners and had some limited success but not great. So this year I grew mostly broad beans because the veg book says they're much easier, and so far I look set to get not even a single portion of beans off them.

Seen loads of bees in my garden though.

 

I'm sticking to our tried and tested "Painted Lady" dual coloured blooms and nice tasting.

Cheers, Tony.

 

There's where I've gone wrong then. I put mine in the last patch of poor soil (the bit that didn't get any mushroom compost 3 years ago when the whole garden was clay, because I ran out by the time I got to that bit). I was growing beans there because I was under the understanding that beans improve the soil by adding structure (their roots) and nitrogen.

 

Well thank you folks for all the advice particulaly the info as from whence they came Mexico... Soil Prep this year I dug a hole threw out all the soil and replaced it with 2 bags of potting compost I have to say it has finally paid off after the initial miserable start the white flowered beans are galloping away up into the crab apple tree nearby have had three pickings, I only grow half dozen plants as I have a pocket hankerchief front garden, The red flowered ones are covered in flowers and bumble bees I have never seen so many. Have cut back all the herbs they are making new growth as we have had quite a bit of rain, made loadsa mint jelly husband loves lamb! Thompson /Morgans assorted coloured Aquiligias have only produced White/Yellow very disappointed emailed them, they came back with a £10 E voucher very generous I thought. and thats my news for now,thinking about what new to grow next year! if i'm still about.

 

I tried runner beans for the first time last year (red ones) and grew them in a 'pea and bean planter' . It was hopeless and I got not a jot from them. This year I decided to use my metre square raised bed. I built a frame, and planted two bean plants,at each corner. I also planted sunflowers in the gaps. I used white lady beans and have so far had some gorgeous beans. Some are in the freezer, having been blanched, and some went straight in the steamer. I hope you have better luck next year :-)

 

Ha ha that made me laugh so much this morning... And I thought I had quite a lot! That looks so good. One of my problems is that my garden is so small and there's not that much space to grow too many different things. I have to sort of make up my mind what I am going to grow and stick to it. Growing these beans this year actually meant that they shaded the other part of the garden where I would usually grow something else. Slugs...they are also a pain. I planted a load of marigolds around the area, but they soon made a meal out of them!

 

Runner beans? Don't talk to me about runner beans!

To say I had a disaster with my beans this year is an understatement. A combination of drought, and duff seeds. I've probably picked 3 meals off the French beans, and the runners? Are slowly starting to grow up the pols, just starting to wind around. We may get a meal off them before they get hit by the frosts, but I doubt it!

Hey ho! I've got lots of spinach germinated