Beans Galore

By Author: Jean Vernon1
Total Articles: 30
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If you only have room to grow one vegetable this season make it runner beans. They are very easy to grow from seed. You can grow them in tubs, planters or even sow them direct in the ground and the best bit is that you'll get masses of pods from just a handful of plants.

When you are new to growing from see you need to build your confidence and grow things that are easy. Runner beans are not only incredibly easy to grow, but they produce beautiful climbing plants that are dripping in amazing edible pods.

If you have a greenhouse you can start growing your runner beans early in the protection of the greenhouse. They don't need a lot of heat to get started and will usually start to sprout a few days after sowing unless there is a cold snap, which will slow them up again. For the best results start them off in good quality seed compost in April and give them plenty of space to grow on. Runner beans are frost tender so they won't tolerate a late frost which means you have to keep them within a greenhouse until the last frost has passed. This can be mid May or it may be early June in some areas of the UK. If you don't ...
... have anywhere to molly coddle them until after the last frost then start sowing your beans in early May and by the time they are ready to plant outside the weather will be fine. You can also sow them direct into the soil, but for best results sow them individually into small pots of good seed compost or sow seven to a 3-litre pot.

Sow several different varieties to provide a range of flower colour. Runner beans were once grown for their ornamental value rather than the crop. Sow a few sweet peas along side for some cut flowers, but be sure not to confuse the sweet pea pods for beans.

Place the pots of seed in a light, frost-free place to germinate; a cool greenhouse is ideal. Sow a few pots every fortnight until July so that your plants will keep on cropping and plant them out into the garden as soon as they are large enough to handle. Don't forget that runner beans need support, so make a bean wigwam out of bamboo canes and let them clamber up to the top, or train them up a trellis or a fence covered in bean netting.

Runner beans rely on bumblebees for pollination so it is essential to ensure that these beneficial insects have access to the flowers. Runner beans are heavy drinkers and need a constant supply of water throughout the growing season.

Feed with a well-balanced feed for flowering plants to encourage plenty of pods, be sure to pick every single pod before they mature or your plants will stop producing new pods and divert their energy into making seeds.

Young plants may need protection from slugs and snails, employ your preferred method of control. Keep a watch out for aphids that can feed on young shoots and pick them off before they get hold.

To know more about greenhouses and your greenhouse temperature control visit http://www.growhouse-greenhouses.co.uk/greenhouses.php