Runner Bean Equator

Equator is an AGM-winning variety you’ll quickly fall for. It handles hot, dry summers like a pro — so when the rain stays away, you can still look forward to a tasty crop (yippee indeed!). The white flowers are self-pollinating, which means reliable setting even when insect activity is low. The beans can reach up to 25cm long, and while the plants are nice and vigorous, they won’t take over the garden. A top choice for tricky summers.

To be an AGM winner means that this variety has been outstanding in trials: reliable and with great garden performance

SOW: wait until late spring once the frosts are out of the way. We like to get a head start by sowing in individual pots between mid-April and July — go about 25-50mm deep (roughly to your second finger knuckle). Once they start looking like they want to climb, and after a bit of hardening off, they’re ready to plant out.

You can sow them straight into the ground too, just make sure your canes are in place first — it's much easier that way. Runner beans love rich soil, so if you can dig in some organic matter earlier in spring, they’ll be very grateful for the extra boost.

GROW: Runners like a cane each spaced at about 25 cm apart, 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 – happy to be given cold sink water with not too much soap.

ENJOY: 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.