Methods of growing Runner Beans

Lab: I try and rotate into a different bit of the plot each year as the beans fix nitrogen and follow on crops do much better. Having said that my Father-In-Law grew runner beans on the same bit of his garden for decades and they were always very good.

Up to this year I always double dig in lots of compost and construct a traditional tent arrangement with canes & string.

Next year I intend to try something radically different - on an allotment forum http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2100&highlight=munty+bean+frame they have come up with an excellent idea; the 'Munty' frame:

This is one of their pictures (I hope they don't mind me linking to their images). This is one of the larger frames but it shows the general idea of the layout.


I think it the way to go, it seems you can grow other stuff in the same bed as the runners and make picking much easier, i.e. the beans hang down (no hiding place!). You will have to read their thread to get an idea of all its benefits, they have been trying it out for a couple of years and I'm convinced.

 

I use string each year, it is a bit time consuming though and might take too long when its suffolk sized!
On the allotment site someone has made one out of steel (reinforcing bars) I guess you can use whatever comes to hand.

I think the idea of being one-sided is to maximise the amount of sun hitting the plants i.e. there is no 'dark' inside bit like in a normal tent arrangement.

I quite like the idea of using it in front of my greenhouse so as to give a bit of natural shading during the summer.

 

and just found the steel framed version on a more modest scale:



As I see it the main advantage of this layout (not just steel) is that you can get an extra crop growing underneath in full sun - i.e. lettuces or similar. Ideal for a smaller garden.

 

kristen: runner bean arches over the paths in the veg patch thats a good idea, even better use of wasted space, now I'll have to think how I can incorporate that.

 

kristen, I've been doing a mixed form of this for years. I cross the canes at a height of about 3ft. This leaves the top half of the canes leaning outward whilst they are still supported by each other. It also allows you to run clear plastic along the bottom section early on in the year in order to form a triangular cloche to warm the ground up and to grow other short term crops inside. I also find that they resist the strong winds better as they are more flexible.

A couple of pictures.






Like John's Father-in-Law I have grown mine on the same spot for about thirty years and I always get a good crop (picked 6lbs this week :thumb.

Also I have seen the method that John shows in his first picture but done as a complete archway with other crops, that prefer some shade, grown underneath. This was done by a retired man who makes a good living out of his fruit and veggies.

 

It's best to leave slightly more room between rows because the beans can continue to grow a little bit and grow across to the other row forming an arch, but they then take up some of your headroom. :thumb: :D