RUNNER BEAN ACHIEVEMENT ~ this is a very popular red flowered variety, a gardener’s favourite. It is later cropping than most and produces long smooth pods. Tasty and high yielding. 24 seeds SOW: in late spring after frost danger has passed. We like to start runners in pots and plant out when they show signs of wanting to climb after hardening off. You can plant them in situ but put your canes in place first! They like rich soil so if you are able to dig in organic matter early in the spring the beans will appreciate the extra boost. GROW: Runners like a cane each, you may need to encourage them to twine but they soon get the hang of it. You can pinch out the first growing tip when 25cm high to encourage more bushy growth. They are insect pollinated – the insects prefer shelter from wind. They like to be watered at the base in dry weather. Achievement will take your harvest right up to the first frosts in October. EAT: Keep picking and the beans will keep coming. We like to pick our beans when they are young. Fresh beans to the plate are a flavour to savour – we have been known to eat a bowl full with a dash of lemon juice! All Runner Beans freeze very well – slice and bag into meal sized amounts.

Aintree is an AGM winner and is British bred.  This is a runner bean that copes really well hot weather, producing bright red flowers and setting reliably throughout the summer.  Look forward to a big yield of tasty fresh sweet beans   Price for 24 seeds

 

SOW: from April indoors, from mid-May to July you can sow outside.  The easiest thing is to use pots, fill with compost, push the seed down 5cm (about the 2^nd knuckle of your index finger), give the pot a little shake to fill the hole.  We sit the pots on capillary matting or a sand bed to keep them moist but not waterlogged.  Outdoors use the same sowing depth. Harden of for 7-10 days before planting out after frost danger has passed

 

GROW:  your runners like rich soil so try to dig in organic matter early in the spring where you are going to be planting them, they will appreciate the extra boost. For bean rows set plants about 25-30cm apart, 1 per cane.  You will need to water your beans regularly, particularly as they start to develop flowers, is a lack of moisture that is one of the main reasons why setting, even for Aintree, can drop away. A liquid feed applied every 14 days will also help to maximise your crop.

 

Pinching out the growing tips once they reach the top of their canes will divert their energy into producing beans rather than growing even taller!  And regular picking (even if your freezer is full) will prompt them to keep producing more flowers meaning yet more fresh beans for you!

 

EAT: fresh runner beans are truly a highlight of the year; we eat as many fresh as we can and freeze as many as we can so that we can continue to enjoy these through the winter.  Runner beans are one of the most productive crops for the space they need that you can grow in your garden.

Grow this robust red flowered variety and your reward will be a heavy crop of delicious, succulent, tender young beans. At their tasty best (we think) picked by 20cm long however these pods can grow to 40cm! Vigorous and reliable. Price for 24 seeds.

This is renowned for being a heavy cropper with long smooth pods. These pods can grow to 50cm if allowed! It has been awarded an AGM by the RHS Price for 24 seeds

Equator – a new variety for you to fall in love with: drought resistant to provide you a tasty crop in warm dry summers, yippee.  This white flowered variety can self-pollinate, and the plentiful beans can be 25cm long.  The plants, though vigorous, are not skyscrapers.   

 Price for 24 seeds.

 

SOW: in late spring after frost danger has passed.  We like to start runners in individual pots (seep depth about 5cm or 2^nd finger knuckle) between mid-April and July.  Plant out when they show signs of wanting to climb after hardening off.   You can plant them in situ but put your canes in place first!  They like rich soil so if you are able to dig in organic matter early in the spring the beans will appreciate the extra boost.

 

GROW: runners like a cane each, you may need to encourage them to twine but they soon get the hang of it.  You can pinch out the first growing tip when 25cm high to encourage more bushy growth.  Equator can self-pollinate (although they prefer insects) so can set in hotter weather.  Drought tolerant means that they can manage with minimal water, but they will not like desert conditions – they will take cold or sink water with not too much soap

 

EAT: keep picking and the beans will keep coming.  Fresh they are a delight so make the most of this seasonal crop in this way.  If you have too many then they will freeze well for use into the winter – just slice and bag into meal sized amounts.

Bold scarlet flowers, masses of them, make a fabulous display that is followed by plenty of tasty beans. These are at their best picked and eaten on the young side to savour their tender sweetness. The pods, which are ‘stringless’, can develop red tinges – part of their ‘fire’. If you have had pollination problems in the past then Firestorm is the bean for you; being self-pollinating it can set well even in poor weather or high temperatures. A variety well worth growing. Price for 24 seeds

A runner bean for a patio pot! Hestia is very dwarf and just as suitable for pots and containers as well an in the veg patch. It produces beautiful red and white flowers followed by slim stringless Runner Beans. It is early to crop and can be picked over a long period. Price for 24 seeds

This super new white flowered variety has smooth, stringless pods with all the flavour you can desire. It produces masses of flowers, and with the potential to self pollinate these set well even in poor weather or high temperatures. This results in a prolific crop of tasty beans. Price for 24 seeds

With an attractive bicolour flower Painted Lady produces very tender pods with an outstanding flavour. A traditional variety with a prolific habit, one of our favourites. Price for 24 seeds

An excellent stringless variety with bright green smooth fleshy pods. It grows away strongly and starts producing the crop early and with its long season it is very high yielding. Price for 24 seeds