Using canes up to 3 meters long, firmly inserted into the soil in a circle, is an effective way to support climbing French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus), which can grow between 2 to 4 meters tall. Twiggy stems from pruned shrubs serve well as ‘pea sticks’ or general plant supports. Runner beans are notably productive, with the potential to double yield to 15lb per row using tight planting strategies. A traditional dwarf runner bean variety has proven its worth over time.
Runner Beans can be grown successfully in 10-inch pots using good general-purpose compost. To support climbing plants, heavy-duty netting is often used with bean obelisks. The tallest frame designs exceed 2 meters in height, featuring original shapes like the ‘Big Ben’ plant frame, the ‘Eiffel Tower’ frame, or the popular ‘London Eye’ plant frame. These frames provide excellent support for climbing plants such as sweet peas, clematis, and runner beans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2-w3LZlCVk
The ‘Snowstorm’ variety of runner bean, with French bean genes, sets pods more readily than traditional varieties. It is important to have supports in place before hardening off runner bean plants, as they are vigorous climbers. The kit for assembling the frame includes a 1 x 2m apex crossbar. These beans produce orange flowers in late spring followed by a plentiful crop of stringless beans. Bamboo canes or rustic beanpoles, cut to 6-meter nominal lengths, can create a sturdy framework for climbing beans.
At Kew, runner beans are sown at the end of April or the beginning of May, about two weeks before the last frost is forecast. The Elegance Runner Bean Frame, with its robust steel arches and cross struts, is a practical addition to the Kitchen Garden. For support, poles are inserted into the soil, with string run through the holes up to the top of the tower. From late April to mid-July, bean seeds should be soaked in warm water for 12 hours before planting. Scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus), native to the mountains of Mexico and Central America, grows at higher elevations than the common bean.
VELCRO Brand ONE-WRAP Plant Ties Tape, 12mm x 5m, in Green is a reusable, plant-friendly solution for tree ties, straps, and plant clips. There are several varieties of runner beans, each with unique characteristics.
