Runner Bean Hestia

Hestia is spot on for patio pots and containers – a true dwarf runner that’s just as happy in the veg patch, especially near a path or edge where you can grab a handful as you pass. It's a great choice for balcony gardeners or anyone dealing with windy spots.

Don’t be fooled by the small size – Hestia still gives you those lovely red and white flowers followed by slim, stringless beans. It starts cropping early and keeps going for a good long spell. A tidy little plant that really earns its keep.

SOW: wait until late spring, once the frosts are out of the way. We like to start runners in pots, seed depth 25-50mm. Once they’ve got more than one set of leaves and have been hardened off, they’re ready to go out.

You can also sow them straight into the ground if that suits you better – just remember they like a rich soil. If you can dig in some organic matter earlier in the spring, the plants will really thank you for it.

GROW: if you're growing Hestia in pots, it’ll really benefit from a liquid feed once the beans start forming – just to give it a bit of extra oomph. Like other runners, Hestia is insect-pollinated, and the bees and bugs do a better job if the plants have a bit of shelter from the wind.

Depending on the weather, you can expect to start picking around 14 weeks after sowing. And in dry spells, give them a good soak at the base – it makes all the difference.

ENJOY: keep picking and the beans will keep coming. We like to harvest them young for the best flavour and texture, but with stringless varieties, you’ll still get good beans even if a few hang around longer than planned.

Fresh runner beans straight to the plate are a flavour to savour – we’ve been known to tuck into a whole bowl with just a splash of lemon juice! They also freeze brilliantly: just slice and bag them into meal-sized portions for a taste of summer later on.