Running, Climbing and Dwarfing. Why sowing and growing tender beans is a must for me?

I am running late - again. I keep thinking the last frost date in North Wales is the end of May - which it is reliably. However with fleece and other protection and the early warm season then maybe I can trust myself to start my tender beans earlier next year! That said, they are tender, which means they do need protection from frost. They can also sulk and stall growth if early in their growing season there is a cold spell.

Runner and climbing beans are some of my favourite garden produce. Fresh picked - lightly cooked, made into pickles - what is not to like? They are easy to germinate, still expensive to buy fresh even in season and are delicious freshly picked and prepared.

Beans can be grown in containers with a tripod of canes for support for the runners and climbers or for the smaller dwarf runner beans and dwarf french beans, a container of fresh compost can lift them off the ground keeping the beans cleaner and drier and less prone to slug and snail damage.

So What do I grow and where?

Containers Ideal for all types of tender beans. Varieties such as Runner beans Hestia which I’m trying for the first time this year. Dwarf french beans including Cobra and Hunter are ideal for containers. They are productive too which is important in a small space. For the last couple of years I have had good yields from my container grown dwarf french beans and they have not had pest problems as well as being clean to pick.

Garden and vegetable garden Runners and climbing french beans for an upwardly mobile crop which reduces the footprint while still giving a good crop so suitable when there is limited cropping space. The choice of flower colours - scarlet and white being the most common can also enhance a garden as well as give a structural feature. 

I like the flat french beans and usually sow both them and my runner beans up a construction of poles both in a length in the raised vegetable area or in wigwams in the border. A few years ago my daughter-in-law created a larger wigwam area with an open side so that when the beans grew they clothed the framework and the children could play inside in the shade.

Choosing a variety to grow.

There is something to suit everyones taste, the choice can be a bit overwhelming however. Flavoursome? Try a few different types to see what you enjoy. Stringless or heritage varieties? Colour in the flowers or in the pods there is a bean that will provide interest.

Pencil bean varieties

Climbing - Blue Lake, Boston, Amethyst (Purple), Cosse Violette (Purple), 

Dwarf - Tendergreen, The Prince, Purple Teepee (Purple), Sonesta (yellow), Elba

Flat french bean varieties (climbing)

Green pods - Limka,  Vitalis, Hunter, Pantheon

Yellow pods - Golden Gate, Goldfield

Runner bean varieties

Traditional - Enorma, Scarlet Emperor, White Lady, Streamline, Moonlight, Firestorm, Painted Lady

Stringless - Scarlet Empire, Lady Di, Polestar, Galaxy, Butler, Firestorm,

Dwarf - Hestia (Bi-coloured red and white), Jackpot, Sweepstake

Exhibition varieties 

Runner beans - Benchmaster, Prizewinner, Liberty

Quick tips when growing summer beans

• Choose a sheltered spot for climbing varieties preferably in sun or semi-shade.
• Dig in compost or well rotted manure into the pot or bed before sowing or planting out.
• Protect seeds from mice (outdoor sown beans), young plants from frost and from slugs and snails.
• Water regularly to encourage flowers to set
• Pick regularly when beans are young to encourage further flowering
• Pick beans young as they get stringier and tougher with age - unless you are growing for the seed beans