Expert gardeners offer advice on ideal planting times for runner beans outdoors and the optimal transplanting method for promoting lush, plentiful harvests this growing season.
Tough Guy's Guide to Grown-Ass Planting: Who says growing your own veggies needs to be complicated? Take it from us, runner beans are one of the easiest crops to master if you're new to the gardening game.
We caught up with a couple of experts to get the lowdown on everything you need to know about these bad boys.
Why are Runner Beans Kick-Ass?
Runner beans are a fan-fucking-tastic choice for any edible garden enthusiast. Not only are they delicious, but they're also easy on the eyes with their climbing tendrils, bright green leaves, and stunning flowers followed by cascades of long pods. Plus, they're surprisingly simple to grow, making them a great option for beginners.
Kate Cotterill, CEO and founder of heirloom seed company She Grows Veg, explains it best: "Runner beans are certainly on the list of easy crops to grow in so far as they're easy to plant and germinate and don't require any particularly difficult conditions."
An Insider's Tip: Before sowing the seeds, it's a smart move to start them indoors in a greenhouse or on a windowsill. This protects the young seedlings from pests and diseases until it's time to plant them out in the open. But remember, if you choose to sow them directly where they'll grow, be prepared for a potential slug attack.
When Should You Plant 'Em Out?
The best months to plant runner beans outside are May and June, when the risk of late frosts has passed. Before you plant, make sure you prep the ground – remove any large weeds and add some organic matter to the soil to give your beans a nutrient-rich foundation.
Now, your baby plants need a little TLC before being moved outside. Hardening them off before transplanting is essential to help them adapt to the outdoor environment successfully. Over the course of a couple of weeks, gradually acclimate your plants by moving them outside during the day, starting in a sheltered spot. Be sure to bring 'em back inside at night until they can handle the great outdoors.
How the Hell Do You Transplant 'Em?
When it's time to move your plants to their final positions, they can be grown vertically around a wigwam of canes or up two parallel lines of poles, depending on your preference and the space you've got available. Space them approx. 30cm apart (leave a cane for each plant) and 45cm between rows for plenty of room to grow.
For a fast-growing foothold, dig a hole at the base of each cane, gently lever the young plant out of its pot, and pop it in. Backfill the hole, firm the soil down, and water the plant in. Your little plants will be reaching for the sky in no time.
If you're short on space, runner beans can also be grown in containers outside. Just make sure they have high, sturdy support. We love using hazel poles for our beans in the organic demonstration garden at Ryton.
Mount Up, Keep 'Em Healthy
For healthy runner bean plants, keep 'em well watered, especially during dry spells – remember to recycle water from a butt if you can. Ensure those supports are high and strong to help keep the plants upright, and if you want to get fancy, consider a companion plant such as marigolds that will help deter aphids.
A Warning: As with any veg, keep a sharp eye out for pests – slugs and snails love to munch on tender growing tips, and aphids might try to pay a visit. If you spot infestations, you can use organic solutions like nematodes, which you can conveniently pick up on Amazon. For small aphid colonies, wrap some sticky tape around your hand and dab at the leaves, picking up the pests as you go. Attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs into your garden is also a good way to keep the bad guys at bay.
What Vegetables Should You Be Planting in May?
Once you start growing these bad boys, you won't want to stop – edible flowers and pods, beautiful growth, and a generous harvest make for one satisfying garden experience. So grab your trowel, find your shade, and get planting. Happy gardening, mate!
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Sources:[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/howtopropagate/vegetables/beans_27183.shtml[2] https://www.gardenmyths.com/grow-runner-beans/[3] https://www.almanac.com/plant/runner-beans[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XKq87gW6Bo[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runner_bean#Cultural_information
- Embarking on a home-improvement project doesn't have to be limited to interior designs; consider enhancing your lifestyle with a home-and-garden undertaking, such as growing runner beans, which are a great choice for both beginner gardeners and edible garden enthusiasts.
- To extend your gardening pursuits beyond runner beans, there are numerous other vegetables suitable for planting in May, such as cucumbers, courgettes, and squashes, which can further enrich your home-garden and add to your harvest, providing a broader variety of produce for your home-improvement endeavors.
