Some people don't like runner beans - mainly because shop-bought runners can be tough and stringy. Growing your own and picking them just when they're ready will show you exactly how runner berans are meant to taste. Also you can choose stringless cultivars, such as 'Desiree' and 'Galaxy', which are even more succulent.
New developments include dwarf cultivars like 'Hestia' that don’t need support making them perfect for small areas and patio containers.
Sow seeds from late May to the end of June 5cm (2in) deep and 23cm (9in) apart.
Alternatively, for an earlier crop, sow the beans in 10cm (4in) pots at the end of April indoors and plant out at the end of May 23cm (9in) apart.
The traditional method of growing is to sow a double row with the two rows 45cm (18in) apart; this makes supporting the plants easier.
Runner beans need a support to climb up. The traditional method is to grow them individually up inwardly sloping 2.4m (8ft) tall bamboo canes tied near their top to a horizontal cane. If you slope the bamboo canes so that they meet in the middle and tie them here so that the ends of the canes extend beyond the row you will find picking is easier and the yield is usually better.
When growing in beds and borders a wigwam of canes takes up less room and helps produce an ornamental feature.
Loosely tie the plants to their supports after planting; after that they will climb naturally.
Remove the growing point once the plants reach the top of their support.
Keep an eye out for slugs and blackfly that may attack the plants.
Runner beans sometimes fail to set and there are a number of causes - and a number of solutions.
Ensuring the soil is constantly moist and doesn't dry out is the first key to success; mulch the soil in June. Misting the foliage and flowers regularly - especially during hot, dry weather - will increase humidity around the flowers and help improve flower set.
Flower set is better in alkaline, chalky soils. If your soil is neutral or acidic it pays to water with hydrated lime.
Another way to improve flower set is to pinch out the growing tips of the plants when they are 15cm (6in) high. The flowers formed on the resulting sideshoots usually set better.
If you regularly have problems it would be worth growing pink- or white-flowered cultivars, such as 'Painted Lady' or 'Mergoles', which usually set pods more easily.
Start harvesting when the pods are 15-20cm (6-8in) long and certainly before the beans inside begin to swell.
It is vital that you pick regularly to prevent any pods reaching maturity; once this happens plants will stop flowering and no more pods will be set. If you pick regularly plants will crop for up to eight weeks or more.
