FAQs

Sowing and Planting.

Q. My plants are beginning to flower but also starting to wilt. Any ideas?

A. They probably just need more water. If your soil is free draining then you will need to water these plants often especially during flowering. It might be an old wives tale but try planting old tea bags around the roots as this will help moisture retention in the soil, the goodness as the tea leaves decompose will do the plants good.

Q. Can I grow runner beans in the greenhouse?

A. By all means start them in a greenhouse but when the risk of frost has gone and the soil temperature has risen you should put them outside. Runner beans do not like it too hot, they will not produce fruit. Also by the time they get to the flowering stage they will have taken over the standard garden greenhouse. If you have no choice then keep it well ventilated and water the plants daily.

Q. What compost is best to use if growing runner beans in pots?

A. Any multipurpose will be fine but it's best to mix with some soil so it's not too rich.

Q. I have been successfully growing runner beans in tubs for many years. This timeI have started them off in the greenhouse as I do every year hardened them off gradually and finally put them in their final position last weeknd. I have now noticed that some of the leaves are starting to dry and curl up around the edges and tha plants do not look very `happy`. They are well watered and have good drainage can you tell me what the cause might be.? Do you think it could be some sort of fly /insect that has got into the leaves and if so what us the best course of action? I can remember my father, who was a very good allotment gardener, using something systamatic containing marathlion. Please please couild you reply asap as I do not want to lose my beans as they are at the top of the poles and some have flowers beginning to come on them.

A. It sounds to me that your beans are suffering from weather damage, as you started them of in the greenhouse they would be tender and suffer from the drop in temperature in the evenings, with this and the wind, can do a lot of damage to tender leaves. I do not think it is insect damage. As they are in containers make sure you do not over water. I suggest that you wrap the plants with Agra fleece (you can get this fleece from garden centres) to protect them from the wind until the end of May even a little later when the weather warms up. I hope this helps.

Weeds

Q. How long would I have to wait to plant runner beans in my garden after using weed killer?

A. If you have to use any sort of weed killer then wait at least 2 weeks. My advice would be to thoroughly dig the area and remove any weeds by hand. Then keep a continuous eye on the area and remove any new weeds as they appear.

Pests

Q. Why does soapy water kill Blackfly?

A. Blackfly breathe through their skin and the soap effectively blocks pores and suffocates them. Research has shown they do not feel pain so no need to feel guilty.

Q. I have tried planting runner beans, ( plants from local garden centre ) but within  3 to 4 hours they have been eaten the main stems seem to have been chewed away and sometimes the leaves have gone, this is my third attempt, could it be mice, blackfly or something else, what could be eating them so fast

A. As they have been eaten so quickly after planting sounds to me that it could be the small grey slugs or, small snails, it could be even wood lice if your plants are near a wooden shed. Try a good quality slug bait or if you want to be organic broken egg shell around the base of the plants this can sometimes do the job. I hope this helps.

Harvesting and Storing

Q. I have blanched and frozen some beans. How do I now cook them to eat?

A. Simply pop the frozen beans into slightly salted boiling water and simmer until they are as soft as you like them.