Growing Runner Beans

Runner or kidney beans follow the early summer French beans, being at their best during late summer and autumn. The runners are more demanding as to their culture for they will reach a height of 8—to feet in a single season and are in every way heavier than other climbing beans. They require a rich soil and efficient staking, and are best grown against rows of laths which have one end inserted into the ground and the other held in position by strong wire or twine fastened to stout stakes at each end of the row.

The ground should be trenched where the plants are to grow and before fixing the laths in position. The trench is made to inches deep and to the width of a spade and at the bottom is placed material from the compost heap which is limed and well trodden down. Over this is spread a layer of soil and decayed manure which is then allowed to settle. The trench is filled up with sifted soil to which is added t ounce of superphosphate and ounce of sulphate of potash per yard of trench.

The stakes are then inserted at intervals of 9 niches and are tied in place to a stout wire stretched 4-5 feet above the trench. Canes may be used instead of laths but the plants do prefer to twine about the rough square laths and this way pull themselves up more quickly and more securely. Tying at intervals will also keep the plants tidy and prevent them from growing into each other. It must be remembered that when in full leaf and bearing, the plants will be of considerable weight and must be well supported.

Sowing One seed is planted at the foot of each stake. This is done by using a trowel and planting the seed 3 inches deep. It is usual to plant a dozen or so seeds at the end of’ the row to till in any `misses’. Mid-May is the best time to plant for runner beans will be damaged by frost if they appear above ground before June 1st.

General cultivation As soon as the plants begin to form their first beans, they should receive an application of dilute liquid manure once each week until early in August; they will also benefit from a mulch of strawy manure. Above all, the plants must not be allowed to suffer from lack of’moisture at the roots, otherwise the buds and beans may fall and the older beans will mature tough and stringy. Regular spraying of the foliage will help the flowers to set and will keep the plants free from red spider. When the plants reach to top of the stakes it is advisable to remove the growing points so that they may concentrate their energies on the production of beans rather than in making more growth.

Where space is limited, runners may be grown against stakes fixed in tent fashion and tied at the top, with the bottom of the stakes 2 feet apart. Though no trenching will be done, the soil should be made rich and friable before planting the seed. Dwarf runner beans, supported by twiggy sticks and started under cloches will also crop heavily in a confined space.

shows are most prolific and the size of the beans command attention. To obtain the finest beans, grow the plants in the cordon system as for sweet peas, trenching the ground and growing against laths or canes but pinching out the side growths at one or two leaves. As they make growth, water copiously and he generous with liquid manure feeding. Then nearer show time, thin out each group to no more than two beans, selecting the best for the show.

Runner beans suffer from neither pest nor disease which cannot be prevented by the normal precautionary methods. Slugs must be guarded against and red spider, by frequently syringing the foliage during dry weather or if growing close to a wall.