The Ultimate Guide to Growing Runner Beans

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on growing runner beans, a favourite amongst gardeners worldwide. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or a budding horticulturist, this guide will provide you with all the knowledge you need to successfully grow and plant in the spring and harvest these vibrant, versatile plants. Runner beans, particularly the scarlet runner variety, are not only a feast for the eyes but also a bountiful source of nutrition.

They can be grown as an ornamental addition to your garden, providing a vertical element that adds depth and interest. But the real magic happens when you start to see the bean pods form, a sure sign that a hearty harvest is on the horizon. From choosing the right variety and preparing the planting site, to caring for your young plants and dealing with common pests, we've got you covered.

We'll also delve into the world of propagating runner beans and share tips on harvesting and storing your bounty. So, let's embark on this gardening journey together and discover the joy of growing runner beans.

Understanding Runner Beans

Runner beans, with their vibrant flowers and delicious pods, are a gardener's delight. This section will delve into the world of these versatile legumes, exploring their characteristics and the different varieties available. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, understanding runner beans will enhance your gardening experience and help you grow these plants successfully.

From the popular Scarlet Runner to the resilient Aztec Dwarf White, each runner bean variety brings something unique to the table. Let's embark on this journey to understand these fascinating plants better.

What are Runner Beans?

Runner beans are a versatile legume that's as appealing to the eye as they are delightful on the palate. Known scientifically as 'Phaseolus coccineus', this fast-growing vine is renowned worldwide for its ornamental value. However, it's also a gastronomical delight. The plant's vibrant flowers, lush green foliage, and sizable bean pods make it one of the most visually appealing edibles you can grow in your garden.

The runner bean plant doesn't just serve to beautify your garden. In actuality, every part of the runner bean is edible - from its brightly coloured flowers to the beans hidden within its enormous pods. These edible parts lend themself to many culinary experiments, rendering runner beans an excellent addition to several delicious recipes.

As for growing runner beans, it's a task that reaps ample rewards. They sprout rapidly, climbing and twining their support, promising a bountiful harvest even in cool, partially shaded locations. It's no wonder runner beans have earned a deserving space in gardens across North America!

Different Varieties of Runner Beans

'Scarlet Runner': A popular variety of runner bean which is not only visually appealing but also laden with enormous culinary potential.

'Dwarf Bees' and 'Hammond Dwarf': These are dwarf varieties of runner beans, growing 1½ to 2 feet tall with striking red-orange blossoms.

'Aztec Dwarf White': An ancient variety known for its resilience towards drought and heat. It is also referred to as 'Potato Bean' or 'Aztec Half Runner'.

'Red Rum': Produces vibrant red flowers and high yields of tender pods.

'Black Knight': This variety of pole runner beans can grow 8 to 10 feet and is loved for its fascinating black seeds and flamboyant blossoms.

'Hestia': This is a dwarf bush variety that starts to flower early.

'White Lady': Delivers smooth, tender pods with striking white flowers.

'Moonlight': A self-pollinating variety which boasts of elegant white flowers.

'Painted Lady': Recognisable for red and white flowers, it shows high heat tolerance.

'Prizewinner': A highly prolific variety in terms of yield.

'Sunset': Known for its pale coral flowers.

'Firestorm': High-yield plants with vibrant flowers and delicious, tender pods.

'Streamline': Produces long, smooth pods with excellent flavour and yield.

Each of these types of runner beans comes with its own unique set of characteristics, making your runner bean growing journey a diverse and fruitful one.

Caring for Your Runner Bean Plants

Caring for your runner bean plants is a rewarding endeavour that requires a keen understanding of their needs. From providing the right amount of light and temperature to ensuring consistent moisture and proper fertilisation, each aspect plays a crucial role in their growth and development. Let's delve into the specifics of runner bean plant care and learn how to nurture these plants to their full potential.

Providing Adequate Light and Temperature

Understanding the light and temperature requirements of your runner beans is paramount in successfully growing them. Firstly, your runner beans need full sun. That means at least six hours of unobstructed sunlight each day. Without this, they may struggle to flower or produce beans.

Alongside light, the temperature and humidity need to be right. Runner beans prefer a warmer climate but do not enjoy stifling heat or excessive cold. Unfortunately, these temperature preferences vary throughout the bean's growth process. While the young plant can manage colder temperatures, the mature plant cannot. It will need protection from frost, as uncovered in a recent article on frost-resistant plants.

Watering and Fertilising Your Plants

Nurturing your runner bean plants necessitates a considerate and relentless commitment to watering and feeding practices. The concept is not to inundate the plants, but to ensure consistent soil moisture. Runner beans flourish alongside a pattern of regular watering, that keeps the soil slightly damp but not inundated. Avoid leaving them in waterlogged soil, which can lead to diseases and slow their growth.

Fertiliser application also forms an integral part of your runner bean plant care routine. Beans are legumes and have a unique ability to fix nitrogen from the air, eliminating the need for high-nitrogen fertilisers. A balanced, slow-release fertiliser applied during planting will provide the nutrients required for healthy growth.

By addressing both watering and fertilising needs, you can assure that your plants will maintain their optimum health and mature size, resulting in an abundant harvest. Through implementing these vital care steps, you are a step forward in your venture to master the art of runner bean plant care.

Supporting Your Runner Bean Plants

Support is a crucial variable in caring for your runner bean plants. These climbing legumes require sturdy support like bamboo canes to facilitate their upward growth, reaching heights of up to 10 feet. This provides an essential vertical element to their development.

The goal is to guide your runner beans, not dictate their direction. As new shoots form, gently tie them onto the canes, guiding your beans along this support system. This hands-on approach is essential in maintaining the health and growth of your prized runner bean plants.

Dealing with Common Pests and Diseases

Growing runner beans can be a rewarding experience, but it's not without its challenges. One of the most common issues gardeners face is dealing with runner bean pests and diseases that can potentially harm their plants. This section will provide you with the necessary knowledge to identify and manage these threats effectively, ensuring your runner beans thrive.

Understanding the pests and diseases that affect runner beans is crucial for their successful cultivation. From bean weevils to mosaic virus, we'll delve into the characteristic identifiers and management strategies for each.

Identifying Pests

Cultivating runner beans is often a rewarding garden project, but it's essential to stay vigilant as pests are often attracted to these plants. Bean weevils and aphids, for example, are pests that contribute to runner bean decline.

The first step towards pest management in your runner bean cultivation is accurate identification. Bean weevils, for instance, are small beetles with long snouts. They lay eggs on the young plants that hatch into larvae, causing significant damage. Aphids, on the other hand, are pear-shaped insects that suck sap from the runner beans, leading to their wilting.

Understanding these characteristic identifiers is crucial in addressing the runner bean pest problem appropriately and promptly. If you're unable to accurately identify a bug, don't fret. There are plenty of resources, including asking your gardening question to an expert or University Extension Service.

Managing Diseases in Runner Beans

When it comes to managing diseases in runner beans, a few mindful practices can make all the difference. The potential threats include mosaic virus, blight, anthracnose, and powdery mildew. While these sound intimidating, your runner bean plants can be resilient, provided you maintain appropriate environmental conditions. This, of course, includes the bean's primary preference for a well-drained site, sunshine and an optimal pH above 6.0.

Blight, for instance, is often exacerbated by prolonged wet conditions. Therefore, ensuring a well-drained soil goes a long way in disease management. Mosaic virus and anthracnose, on the other hand, often spread via insects or contaminated gardening tools. Hence, proper sanitation methods are crucial.

Powdery mildew, a common foe of many plants, prefers humid, overcrowded spaces. Ensuring adequate spacing between your plants can be a preventive measure against this challenge, fostering better air circulation. Your runner bean plants' wellbeing ultimately hinges on your proactive role as a grower. Remember - prevention is always better than a cure!

Harvesting and Storing Runner Beans

In the journey of growing runner beans, the stages of harvesting and storing are crucial. These steps can significantly impact the quality, taste, and longevity of your beans. Whether you're growing the common runner bean or the vibrant scarlet runner, understanding the right time to harvest and the correct way to store them can make all the difference. Let's delve into the art of harvesting and storing runner beans, ensuring you get the most out of your gardening efforts.

When and How to Harvest

Harvesting runner beans is a bit more of an art than many gardeners would believe. It's not merely about waiting for the beans to grow and plucking them off the plant. The bean's stage of growth determines the right time for harvesting, which typically begins around 12 to 16 weeks after sowing. A well-timed harvest can lead to a bounty of tender and flavoursome beans, while a delay could result in a stringy harvest.

The ideal runner bean pods measure between 15 and 20cm in length when at their tender best. Larger pods tend to become fibrous and tougher in texture. If you're looking to enjoy snap beans, harvest when they're still young, around 4-6 inches long. This is when their flavour and tenderness surpasses those of common beans.

Maintaining regularity in picking runner beans is beneficial as it stimulates the plants to produce more flowers and, subsequently, more beans. Abstaining from leaving matured beans on the plant is also a crucial titbit to remember as it can impact the flowering process adversely.

Storing Your Runner Beans

When it comes to storing your runner beans, the process is uncomplicated yet imperative to preserving their quality. Top and tail your harvested beans, then proceed to remove any stringy parts. Make sure you cut the beans into small segments, as this will make the subsequent steps easier.

After chopping, you'll want to blanch your beans. Simply submerge them in boiling water for a quick two minutes, then drain and cool them off. Packing your runner beans into plastic bags and freezing them is the best storage method. By doing this, you preserve their original flavour and nutrition.

Please remember, as vibrant and alluring as scarlet runners may be, they also need to be stored properly to offer the best taste. Following these steps will ensure you get to relish your home-grown runners at a later time, presenting the true taste of your tireless gardening efforts.

Embrace the Joy of Growing Runner Beans

In conclusion, growing runner beans is a rewarding endeavour that offers both aesthetic and culinary benefits. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, the vibrant scarlet runner bean plant can add a touch of beauty to your garden while providing a nutritious addition to your meals. Remember, these plants thrive in full sun, consistent moisture, and with the right support.

Don't forget to keep an eye out for common pests and diseases to ensure your plants remain healthy and productive. While we may not have all the answers to your gardening questions, we hope this guide has provided you with a solid foundation on how to grow runner beans. So, why wait?

Start planning your garden today and experience the joy of watching your runner beans grow.

Happy gardening!

Frequently Asked Questions

Shop Now

  • Runner Beans

    SHOP NOW
  • Runner Beans 'Firestorm'

    SHOP NOW
  • Runner Beans 'Red Rum'

    SHOP NOW
  • Runner Beans 'Streamline'

    SHOP NOW
  • Runner Beans 'White Lady'

    SHOP NOW