I have French beans in a pot that have produced more than they usually do, but still not that much considering how many plants there are. My issue really is that I just don't have that much growing space. Next year I might try to create a new planter area. The area where I have the most open space is on the northwest side of the house and doesn't get a lot of sun, so I have lots of problems getting things to grow well.
At the moment I have six, I think, in a space about a square foot or so, plus a few in a big old recycling box and some around a little obelisk made of sticks in the front garden. Most of the space is either paved or shaded, which is the real constraint.
We're getting rain here this week though so maybe they will start producing soon.
Don't worry about the cold. I think that hot and dry can be equally bad for runner beans. I sewed some Scarlet Emperor (sic) beans in my cold greenhouse and planted them out in early June after no more risk of frost. The plants have been well watered, by watering can when necessary. A 5m double row has yield 2 crops of 5 beans each. Plenty of top growth, plenty of flowers, they were just not setting. Flowers sprayed, but no signs of bees.
After a deluge last week and heavy rain all day yesterday, I have noticed several thin 15cm beans. The usual glut may be starting.
I am no novice. I have been growing runners for some 60 years in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Co Durham, and several locations in Surrey. I have not known a season like it. In 1976, I moved house and did not grow anything. I think that year would have taught me something.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I was a bit arrogant about Scarlet Empire, thinking I knew better. But there it was "improved" Scarlet Emperor @ 45 seeds for £3.690 vs 50 seed for the Emperor.
Next year I still have some Scarlet Emperor left over, plus any seeds I find when clearing away. I will include some White Queen as insurance against another hot season. 2024, I may try some Scarlet Empire.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Mine are coming on now, always late here though, didn’t sow as many as usual , can’t bear them frozen so we eat them as often as we can. I’ve still got too many so next year it will be even less runners and more French, I’ve got plenty of those in the freezer, they survived the drought better, I think, than the runners.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
Dove, we never freeze. Just eat as they come. A 100% bean-feast sometimes. Not yet this yeaar.
We’ve been picking a kilo a day most days for weeks .... some days nearly two kilos … from about 20 plants … I challenge you to eat that many as you go … 🤣… we’ve usually had very good bean crops … this year it’s gone bonkers …never had such an amazing crop! 😎
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
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We're getting rain here this week though so maybe they will start producing soon.
I sewed some Scarlet Emperor (sic) beans in my cold greenhouse and planted them out in early June after no more risk of frost. The plants have been well watered, by watering can when necessary. A 5m double row has yield 2 crops of 5 beans each. Plenty of top growth, plenty of flowers, they were just not setting. Flowers sprayed, but no signs of bees.
After a deluge last week and heavy rain all day yesterday, I have noticed several thin 15cm beans. The usual glut may be starting.
I am no novice. I have been growing runners for some 60 years in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Co Durham, and several locations in Surrey. I have not known a season like it. In 1976, I moved house and did not grow anything. I think that year would have taught me something.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I picked my first serious beans today. Enough for a normal family of 4. And more are setting.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I’m still picking mine … running out of freezer space 😳
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I was a bit arrogant about Scarlet Empire, thinking I knew better. But there it was "improved" Scarlet Emperor @ 45 seeds for £3.690 vs 50 seed for the Emperor.
Next year I still have some Scarlet Emperor left over, plus any seeds I find when clearing away. I will include some White Queen as insurance against another hot season. 2024, I may try some Scarlet Empire.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I’ve still got too many so next year it will be even less runners and more French,
I’ve got plenty of those in the freezer, they survived the drought better, I think, than the runners.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.