Tag: Runner Beans

Runner beans are big and flat. They are cheaper than green beans – the plants are more productive – but the rough, flat, green pods need to be destrung and then cut, diagonally, into smaller pieces before you can eat them. Boil them for three-four minutes, toss in butter and mint. Are green beans and […]

Some studies have shown that beans act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. These effects could reduce the risk of cancer. Do green beans reduce inflammation? Cooked (boiled) green beans have 4.0 g of fiber, some of it soluble fiber. Soluble fiber may help lower LDL or so-called bad cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. It may […]

Runner Beans look like somewhat larger versions of what North Americans know as Green Beans or String Beans. There are a few differences, other than just size. Runner Beans are a perennial plant, whereas Green Beans are annuals. Hummingbirds and bees love Runner Bean flowers. Can you use string for runner beans? Top, tail and […]

Some climbing beans (runners) are called ‘kidney beans’ for their shape, but true ‘kidney beans’ are a particular strain of climbing bean. Many beans contain toxins, but apparently it’s especially true of kidney beans, so whatever you rehydrate to cook, it’s worth finding out… Are runner beans the same as kidney beans? ‘Kidney’ is the […]

At only 3 feet long, half-runner vines are shorter than typical pole bean vines. Several varieties of half-runner beans exist, most with “strings” you need to remove from the pods before cooking them. Do you have to string runner beans? How to prepare runner beans. Top, tail and string runner beans by carefully sliding the […]

No! the flowers will form your beans so not pinch them off! It is very early days so let them grow and flower. Do you take tops off runner bean plants? When your runner bean plants reach the tops of the canes, pinch out the growing tip of each one to encourage bushier growth. Beans […]

Beans don’t really need to be rotated, there is not much build up of soil borne pests for beans. Onion family and brassicas and carrots must be rotated otherwise they tend to succumb to pests such as onion root rot and club root. Should you rotate beans? Crop rotation will prevent the soil from wearing […]

it is generally better to move beans to a new location each year. Diseases and pests build up in the soil and can reduce production. With that said, I’ve grown beans in the same location two years in a row with no more problems than usual. Can I plant broad beans in the same place […]

The Cottage Smallholder, Fiona, suggests companion planting sweet peas with runner beans. What plants go well with sweet peas? Companions: Plant sweet peas with sweet alyssum, lobelia, roses, lavender, and catmint. Can you grow green beans with peas? Green beans: Peas and green beans require similar growing conditions, making them good companions to plant together. […]

Runner beans readily cross-pollinate so they must be isolated in order to have seed from heirloom varieties come true. If pollinated, the flowers are followed by long pods (L) with a rough texture (R). How do you keep beans from cross pollinating? To prevent cross pollination, you would need to plant different varieties 100 yards […]

Lack of pollinating insects, perhaps because of cold, wet or windy weather. Very hot weather, especially at night, which inhibits the germination of pollen grains, interrupting the pollination and fruit-set process. Cropping should resume in September, once the nights start to cool down. How can I pollinate my runner beans? Pollination: Runner bean flowers are […]

Runner beans are thirsty plants and crop best when watered regularly, especially once they start to flower and form pods. You will typically need to apply 5–9 litres (1–2 gallons) of water per square metre/yard every three to four days. Should beans be watered daily? Generally, green beans require about 1 to 1.5 inches or […]

Pods begin to develop then shrivel. A couple of possible reasons: (1) Lack of moisture. If the first seeds begin to develop in the pod and then the pods shrivels, give beans a slow, deep watering until the soil is wet to at least 5 inches (check with a trowel). Mulch planting beds to maintain […]

Put them out in the day and into your greenhouse at night for a few days, then if it stays mild where you are then go for it. The runner beans and courgettes have been outside in pots on a table here in South Devon for a couple of weeks. How do you fix leggy […]

Touch the tip of a fine-tipped brush or cotton swab to the anthers of the flower you wish to collect pollen from. You should be able to see the pollen on the brush or swab tip. You can also pinch the entire flower off and use it to pollinate many flowers. Why are my runner […]

Slugs and snails love to eat young runner bean plants and can often cause irreversible damage over a single night. How do you keep slugs and snails off runner beans? An easy and successful method of keeping slugs, snails from the runner beans growing in the raised beds has been to fix copper tape around […]

about a week. The seeds germinate in about a week and grow surprisingly quickly. You’ll need to harden your plants off for 7 to 10 days before transplanting them outdoors. Before planting out, check your bean plants are fully rooted into their pots, and do keep a close eye on the weather to ensure that […]

Phaseolus beans can be affected by a fungal disease called rust. Heavy attacks may reduce plant vigour and hence yield but, thankfully, the attack often develops too late to have a serious effect. Runner and French beanFrench beanUse small pots or modules, sowing one bean in each, 5cm (2in) deep. Place in a propagator or […]

Runner beans are ready to pick 12 to 16 weeks after sowing. The bean pods are at their most tender at 15-20cm long – any longer and they become stringy. Regular picking encourages the plants to produce more flowers, and therefore more young beans. How long after flowering do green beans grow? Bush beans produce […]

Bean sunscald is a common disorder that it basically just a sunburn. As people, when exposed to too long in intense UV rays, our skin burns. Though plants do not have skin like ours, they can also experience burning or scalding from intense UV rays. Bean plants seem especially susceptible to sunscald. Can runner beans […]