Single hen

[SeramaSilly]

Does anyone know the right time to plant runner bean plants? I have a big pot by my front door and I've decided instead of sweet peas I'd like to try runner beans.

 

Sophie

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[Cate in NZ]

I usually start planting mine outside from May onwards, but I tend to plant 2 or 3 different plantings- that seems to work for me, but one of the more expert gardeners on here should be along later to give better advice. I'd suggest too that the best planting time would depend on the type of bean planted and the climate where you are. I can generally get away with fairly early outdoor plantings because I'm in the generally warmer South East.

Sounds like a great idea to plant them in a pot though, especially as they do have pretty flowers as well as yummy beans

[SeramaSilly]

Ah thanks Kate - do you use the chicken poo in a bucket of water method for feeding?

 

Sophie

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[Monique]

Hi Sophie,

I live in the Midlands and I tend to plant my runner beans no sooner than middle of May. Over each seed I put a large coke bottle with the bottom sawn off, so that the seedling will be in its own little conservatory for the first weeks. And although I try to grow fully organic, I always put a couple of slug pellets in the bottle, otherwise they've got no chance.

If you want to plant your beans in a pot, then I would plant them a little bit later still, maybe 1st of June. Or keep the pot inside until June.

Don't forget to give them a support.

Good luck!

[motherhen]

I usually do climbing french beans, but I think they are as susceptible to frost as runner beans. I start my early ones indoors and if you have a pot you are going to put them in, then you could start them in containers inside, move them to your outside container and either cover them if frost forecast or move the whole thing inside for the night.

[SeramaSilly]

 

Thank you Monique and Motherhen - good life here we come!

 

Sophie

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[Cinnamon]

Can I just ask about french beans.

I have just found a long forgotten cane wigwam climbing thingy for beans - will french beans be OK on that?

If I put it into a bucket with drainage,should they grow?

Whay compost should I use?

And can chicken poo go straight onto the top as a fertilizer?

 

Sorry - rookie bean grower here !

[motherhen]

Make sure they are french climbing beans - I did these last year in containers with a hazel wigwam thing. They are hungry feeders, so try and mix in lots of compost/matured poop into the compost in the container, as well as giving regular feeds while they grow.

[Monique]

Just make sure it's not fresh manure of any kind!!

Beans make their own nitrogen, so I found that if you feed them too much they will concentrate on making leaves rather than beans.

[SeramaSilly]

Got my runner bean plants yesterday and the lady said they're ok to plant as they have been hardened off. I'm obviously planting up the big pot with compost but I haven't any mature chicken poop because I've only had my girls 5 weeks so is chicken poop in a bucket with water ok? How long do I leave it to ferment?

 

 

Sophie

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[Monique]

Hi Sophie,

I'm afraid I don't know; I've never used that method myself, but I think my granddad used to; he may have watered it for a week or two, but I'm not sure whether he used the water or the poo. Can't ask him anymore

I tend to put the poo on the compost heap and then just add a couple of hands of compost (when it's ready) to the soil before planting.

Sorry I'm not more help.

[SeramaSilly]

Thanks Monique you're lovely! My grand-dad would have known too - he had an allotment and grew loads of veg and my nan grew wonderful roses and fabulous dahlias in her tiny garden and all the kids in the neighbourhood called it the jungle but I loved it! Just what I'd love to know all about now but wasn't interested in at the time when they were here!

 

Sophie

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[ubereglu]

I planted my runner bean seeds yesterday, Did I plant them too late????

[Lesley-Jean]

No they'll be fine noeglu I tend to find that whenever you plant them they seem to catch up and crop at the same time