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Growing peas and beans against a wall

markalexander_99markalexander_99 Posts: 4
in Fruit & veg
Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum, so hopefully I'm doing this right!

I have recently moved into a new house and have runner beans, peas, mange tout and tomatoes either germinating or in a cold frame. Shortly, I'm planning on planting them out against my garden wall (see attached photo). It's south facing so should get some good light/heat. 

Do you have any ideas of how to train them? I think netting might be slightly messy with the tree in the way. There are old nails and hooks towards the top of the wall. Perhaps I could run wire across and then attach hazel stakes going down to the ground?

I have never grown against a wall like this so would really appreciate any tips!

Many thanks!

Mark

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    The wires and nails were probably for the trained apple trees.  If they are currently not fastened to anything I would reinstate the wires, otherwise if they get heavy with fruit, they could be a problem.  Having fixed horizontal wires, a few canes or hazel sticks fastened to them for beans would be OK. It looks like good black soil. Adding compost or manure would help the beans. You could do with an edging row of bricks to hold it back ( or the metal edging you can get.
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Just be aware that soil at the base of a wall can get very dry. Peas, beans and mange tout won't do well if they dry out so be prepared to water regularly if necessary. Tomatoes will enjoy the radiator effect of the wall and they don't mind it a bit drier (think of tomatoes growing in Italy and Greece - delicious!).
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • markalexander_99markalexander_99 Posts: 4
    Very prompt replies! I'm impressed. Thanks very much.

    Good advice on the watering and on the bricks. 
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Just to add canes half way between wall and edge of bed for tomatoes would give best results as they need 360° growing room, and a teepee of canes for the beans with string wrapped around to give something to climb on will give max growing space @markalexander_99.🙂
  • markalexander_99markalexander_99 Posts: 4
    Thanks a lot @purplerallim. Assuming only one bean plant per teepee?
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    One bean plant per cane.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    I usually put two seeds then if one fails the other takes over. If two germinate I let them both go. With string wrapped around the four canes the beans grow in a zigzag, up across then up again increasing growing room but contained. If you wish you could do as I have in the past have two sets of four canes with a cane across the top between them, any plants that reach the top then get to run across. Ok if you have room or have plants under that don't  make height. Hope this helps.🙂
  • markalexander_99markalexander_99 Posts: 4
    Thanks again really helpful. Much appreciated!
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