Chris and Steve's Weblog - City Chickens » runner beans

Growing Update

Chris — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:56:43 +0000

The Lupin seeds have germinated and are already forming true leaves. I have sown seeds of dwarf Nasturtium both a mixed packet and some with varigated leaves and deep red flowers. I have had a go with some dwarf Scabiosa seeds in modules. These are not easy to germinate in my experience so fingers crossed. The other flower seeds I have sowed are Honesty. A few collected seeds from my sister. I bought some bulbs from the pound shop. They are a white Anenome and out of twenty bulbs I have five decent plants which is not bad for a pound after all.

Today I have potted on most of my tomato seedlings. I have sown Black Cherry, Moneymaker and Yellow Plum.

I have sown some Beetroot Boltardy in modules today and covered them with clingfilm. We did no good at all with beetroot last year so I am trying a different method as well as sowing direct.

I have also sown runner beans Blue Lake, Black Bean Delinel and Kelvedon Stringless in pots to get started. The White Lady will be sown direct. Down at the allotment all the potatoes are now in; Sharps Express, Vivaldi and Rocket. We have put most in bags and some in the ground. The peas and the broad beans are now in their permanent beds at the allotment and one on the new rhubarb crowns has been planted alongside our old one while the other one has been planted at home in the garden.

Runner Beans

Chris — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:04:05 +0000

Over the last few weeks I have sown a succession of runner beans. The White Lady were saved seeds from last year so they are familiar to me and I know they will give a good harvest and be good to eat when picked young and tender.

The Blue Lake I have bought this year and are a new variety to me.

I have sown some beautiful large black beans which I know I saved from last year but can’t remember the variety. I don’t even know if they are dwarf or tall runners.

Runner beans are a good source of vitamin C, folic acid and fibre.

Varieties Of Runner Beans

Chris — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:55:27 +0000

Here is a good image from the RHS site showing the variety of the humble runner bean.

Runner Bean Kelvedon Stringless & White Lady

Chris — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:48:12 +0000

The runner bean seeds went in today; one tray of Kelvedon Stringless and one of White Lady. All the seeds were saved from last years crop. Runner beans seem to be the easiest to collect seeds from and so after the first year don’t cost a bean as it were. Both varieties are prolific and you have to keep an eye on them at harvest time. They are best picked young and tender and they do freeze well so don’t let them grow too big, except of course those that you want to collect next years seed from.

White Lady – Generally reckoned to be one of the best available runner beans, White Lady produces heavy crops of tasty, smooth, stringless pods with white seeds. The white flowers are not prone to bird damage and the variety sets well, even during periods of hot weather making it ideal for late sowings. (info from alanromans.com)

Kelvedon Stringless – Disease resistant, early and high yielding, producing delicious stringless pods about 10″ long. Maturing 12-16 weeks from sowing. (info from Dobies)