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Growing Climbing Beans

How to grow all types of climbing Green, French and Runner Beans in containers, garden beds and allotments

Climbing Green Beans

Family/Latin Name

Fabaceae - Phaseolus coccineus (runner)

Fabaceae - Phaseolus vulgaris (common)

Type of Plant

Legume - Crop Rotation Group = Others

Suitable for

Garden Beds, Allotments, Containers

See also:- Vegetable Growing Glossary | Container Growing | Buying Seeds & Plants

Plant Height	Height over 1.5m/ 5ft - spread 30cm/1ft
Yield Per Plant Yield Per 1.5m/5ft Row	1kg/2lb 13kg/30lb
Time between sowing and harvesting	About 12-14 weeks
Sowing time	Indoors April to May - temperature +16C/61F. Outdoors Late May - mid June - temperature +17C/63F
Where to Sow	Indoors in 7.5cm/3" pots of compost Outdoors in containers or open ground
How to Sow	Indoors: one per pot - 5cm/2" deep Outdoors: 5cm/2" deep - 22cm/9" apart - in rows 45cm/18" apart or against a wigwam of canes (see below)
After Germination	Protect from slugs
Growing on - in Pots	Harden off indoor sown plants then transfer to large pots (min 30cm/12" diameter) spacing the plants at least 17.5cm/7" apart around the edge of the pot. Support each plant with a tall sturdy cane (6ft) and tie the tops of the canes together to form a wigwam effect.
Growing on - in open ground	As above but space the plants 22cm/9" apart in rows 45cm/18" apart , tying the tops of the canes together.
Aftercare	Pinch off the tops of each plant once they reach the tops of the canes. Liquid feed from time to time through the cropping season..
Harvesting	Cut pods regularly at approx 15-20cm/6-8", before the beans start to swell. Crops over a period of about 8 weeks Do not allow seeds to ripen as this stops pod production.

Pests and Diseases

Companion Plants

Slugs
Indications	Young leaves are eaten - sometimes completely missing
Treatment	Organic 1. Sink small pots filled with beer to ground level. Empty daily 2. Sprinkle slugs with table salt Chemical Use slug pellets
Prevention	Avoid damp or humid sites

Black Fly/Aphids
Indications	Leaves distorted, yellowing and stunted distorted growth on bean pods and withering plant stems with patches of black in the leaf nodes
Treatment	Organic Spray with a weak solution of soapy water Use water through a hosepipe to knock the aphids off the plants Chemical Spray with an insecticide containing Bifenthrin, Imidacloprid or Pyrethrum
Prevention	None

Bean Weevils
Indications	Leaves have U shaped notches around the edges
Treatment	Organic Place a sticky card or bucket of water under the plant and shaking to remove the weevils from the plant. Then destroy the bugs underfoot or pick them off by hand Chemical Spray with an insecticide containing Fenitrothion
Prevention	Plant a barrier of garlic along side the rows.

Downy Mildew
Indications	Yellow patches on leaves with a greyish mould underneath
Treatment	Organic Remove the infected leaves and apply an organic copper spray/dust to diseased and surrounding plants every 7-10 day Chemical Remove the infected leaves and spray with Dithane at first sign of attack
Prevention	Avoid damp or humid sites and overcrowding. Practice crop rotation.

Companion Flower Graphic

Grow Maize, Summer Savory, and Radish close by.

Garlic planted alongside can prevent damage by bean weevils.

If you know aphids are a problem in your area, grow flowers such as nasturtiums, calendula asters, dahlias, and zinnias nearby but not too close, as aphids find them attractive so they act as a lure.

Create a bio-diverse environment by planting flowers nearby to attract bees, ladybirds and other "friendlies".

To learn more about companion planting click here.

In the Kitchen

Storage: Packed loosely in plastic bags for 2-4 days in the refrigerator. Excess amounts can be frozen. Prepare as below then blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, drain well and allow to cool before freezing.

Preparing: Wash in cold water. Snap or cut off a small section from each end of the pods.

Round French and Green beans don't need any further preparation.

Runner beans usually have strings at the sides which should be removed before further preparation. These can usually be "peeled" or cut down the length of the bean using a small knife. You can also by bean slicer/stringers which both de-string and slice the beans in one go

Cooking:

Bake/Roast	Whole French/Green = 25 - 30 minutes. Drizzle with oil and seasonings
Boil	Whole French/Green = 6-10 minutes Slice or shred Runner beans = 5-7 minutes
Fry/Sauté	Slice or shred Runner beans = stir-fry 4-6 minutes
Microwave	Whole French/Green = 4-6 minutes (225g/8oz) Slice or shred Runner beans = 3-5 minutes (225g/8oz)
Steam	Whole French/Green = 8 - 12 minutes Slice or shred Runner beans = 6-8 minutes

For more preparation and cooking information about beans plus lots of recipes visit our sister site www.recipes4us.co.uk.

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