Runner Beans or French????

My runner beans weren't very good this year, and I am struggling to find a good type. So I have been thinking maybe I'll do climbing French beans next year, as I don't really have room for both.

What do you all recommend?? What is the best runner out there, or does anyone prefer French???? :confused:

 

I grow runners myself and had a brilliant crop this year from Red Rum - tasty too.
May try some French ones next year if someone could recommend a decent variety.

 

I much prefered French Dwarf beans..They were more prolific than my runners,less work and I reckon better for freezing.

 

My dear old dad would turn in his grave - French beans!! - runner beans are far superior in every respect and the different ways of growing them belong to the folklore of gardening in this country. Don't be put off by one failure - have another try, it's well worth the trouble, even at the height of the season they were a pound a pound in the shops.

 

Polestar are not bad. I usually grow Butler & Desiree but haven't had much luck with them for the last two years so not sure what to do.

Blue Lake are a nice climbing french bean I'm told. But I only grow the Prince (dwarf French bean) and then only in pots early on in the greenhouse.

 

Try Cobra for a dwarf climber..Lots on our plots have gone over to this instead of runners . It crops well and is self pollinating so it sets well too..

 

I much prefer French beans, because they don't grow so large and unruly. Also no strings! But I always grow some Runners, except this year, slugs were a big problem.

 

The best runners were the very first year I grew them (about 6 years ago). I grabbed a packet of Tescos own ones, not expecting much but thought it would be fun with the kiddies.

They were so sweet, tender and totally stringless, the kiddies couldn't get enough of them. Since then I haven't been able to get tescos own, and even if the ones I get say stringless, they aren't. As I only have room for 3 or 4 wigwams, I'll try some dwarf in pots, and a last chance for runners and some french climbing ones too. (which, I think are a bit earlier??? - correct me if I'm wrong!!)
I must admit, if you get a good runner, there is just no comparison in taste.....

 

We grew White Lady runner beans this year and they were delicious. I have some in the freezer ready for Christmas dinner. If you remember to pick them early they are very tender and stringless.

 

I grew a climbing french bean, I think it was Cobra. They were very tasty, and not bad yields considering I didn't water them enough. I much prefer french beans to runners.

 

I am trying Cobra next season.

But will use my 'old faithful'Liberty as a back up.

 

I grew some French runners and the slugs got them. By this time I had some more seeds up of a black French runner. To cut a short story long, they both ended up being fantastic croppers.

My only objection to runner beans is the preperation for cooking time involved - I did have a runner bean auto slicer, but gave it away when I changed to French runners.

 

I much prefer runner to french. I usually grow Scarlet Emperor, but I didn't think they were as tasty this season as normally, despite fantastic weather and plenty of water.
Anyone reccommend a different variety for ultimate taste?

 

I am wondering why your runner beans were not very good this year? Was it a problem with the flowers setting?
I used to grow both runners and climbing French. They are so different in taste we had to grow both. Dwarf French just did not crop enough to justify the space but climbing French always gave an enormous crop.