Lesley-Jean Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 While we are waiting for our name to rise (slowly) to the top of the waiting list for an allotment (we had one for years all through the 80's). We want to grow a wigwam of runner beans in a barrel as we have no space in the flower bed (we only have one ). Does anyone have any advice please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 I've done it in a smaller container than a barrel - you need a good rich compost and regular feeding during the season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Try not to grow too many in a small space - far better to grow fewer and get a better crop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Pinch out the tops when they reach the top of the wigwam. then you dont have them sapping the soil of goodness and the beans are better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted July 21, 2006 Author Share Posted July 21, 2006 I'm very pleased with the result I'm having with my runner beans in a pot There is one bean ready to pick today, Friday, and I hope to have enough for a meal for two by Sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 I have grown mini french beans this way this year,& they have done really well too. We have had enough for 2 Salad Nicoise so far I prefer the taste of them to Runners,but they are not so striking with their white flowers - runners look much prettier! Your look great LJ,& funnily enough mine are in a pot hiding the water butt just like yours are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 I think yours are slightly ahead of mine, LJ . I always plant mine in pots (well, 3 garden trug pots anyway!) as we don't have room in the garden for them. They do really well with some good homemade compost and a lot of TLC. Mine are just starting to "bean" at the moment. Can't wait to harvest them! The mice ate all but 4 of my French Bean plants which is a shame as I love them but the runners will hopefully make up for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 I have grown mini french beans this way this year,& they have done really well too.We have had enough for 2 Salad Nicoise so far I prefer the taste of them to Runners,but they are not so striking with their white flowers - runners look much prettier! Did you know that runner beans were originally grown for their flowers? OH reckons ours overheard me telling him, as they are covered in flowers but have no beans yet However they are in a dry spot by the fence (only place I could fit them in!) and had to compete with a nearby bush that put on a sudden growth spurt in the warm damp weather of late spring, so they're just a bit behind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 L-J, those plants look spectacular - how many plants are in the pot? I think I may try some 'pot plant beans' next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 My Runner Beans have only started to flower this week! Just goes to show how far behind the growing season is up here. I have 12 plants in 2 grow bags. They are doing really well, which has surprised me because I thought the compost would be too shallow for beans. Also have 12 plants in a terracota pot with bamboo canes pushed into the compost. These are doing well. The bean plants in the garden are not so good. The soil here is almost pure sand in places, which is not surprising as we live a 5 minute walk from the sea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted July 21, 2006 Author Share Posted July 21, 2006 L-J, those plants look spectacular - how many plants are in the pot? I think I may try some 'pot plant beans' next year! There are 7 canes around the pot and I planted 2 seeds to each cane so that if any died there would not be a space. I think they all grew and I did not have the heart to remove any I water them twice a day and mist the flowers in the evening to help them set. . And keep my fingers crossed. I do that for most things. I does help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted July 22, 2006 Share Posted July 22, 2006 I tried runner beans in a pot too, with canes for support and shielded by chicken wire and horticultural fleece for protection. Unfortunately Tilly found her way beyond these anti-chicken devices and now I have a few chewed off stumps in lieu of runner beans I'm quite of your gorgeous, healthy looking beans L-J . They look lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 [I mist the flowers in the evening to help them set. . !: I didn't know about misting the flowers to help them set, good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 Lucky things all of you! Normally I have 25 or so runner plants, and keep the local area in fresh beans for weeks, but the bunny who was visiting us earlier this year has eaten all the plants. Its quite depressing, having the canes up and all bare. i would take them down but the 4 cucumber plants we put in on each corner are doing quite well. No runners for me this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 We're having a really poor year for beans and peas this year not sure why, as we usually get a really good crop of each hey ho will have to wait for next year and try again karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Sorry for you Karen, but glad its not just me! the only things thats doing well in my garden this year is bindweed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted July 27, 2006 Author Share Posted July 27, 2006 I've picked about three pounds of beans so far this week. Yummmm...... I've never grown them in a tub before and am so pleased with them. I'm using a very weak tomato feed for them. I was told if you over feed you get lots of leaf and not much flower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 Sorry for you Karen, but glad its not just me! the only things thats doing well in my garden this year is bindweed! we can manage a good crop of nettles and brambles too I bought some early peas yesterday as they mature sooner and descided that I'll put them in before we go away, and hopefully they may crop towards the end of summer, worth a try (it was Alan Titchmarsh's idea really ) karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted August 16, 2006 Author Share Posted August 16, 2006 Bean production has slowed a bit with the very hot weather. 6 lb so far but I'm amaized how well they are doing in a "pot" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 Wow ! Wish mine were that prolific! I've not been weighing them so I don't know what we've picked yet but I've taken a handful of beans most nights for tea which suits me fine. They're not bad in pots, are they! Well done, LJ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
