The seeds of the runner bean are only about one centimeter large. Plants up to 3 meters high grow from them, with countless pods up to 28 cm long. The start is with sowing the bean seeds, which takes place from mid-May to the end of July. We accompany you step by step to ensure success.
How to sow runner beans step by step?
Sowing pole beans can be done step by step as follows: Prepare the bed, set up climbing aids, lay out 6-10 seeds per pole in a circle (10 cm apart), stick them 2-3 cm deep into the soil and cover them loosely with soil. After germination, water regularly and attach tendrils to the trellis if necessary.
1. Get seeds
You can get the seeds for runner beans at garden and hardware stores or online. One seed bag contains around 80 to 100 seeds. You plan on 6 – 10 seeds per seed spot.
2. Prepare the bed
Dig the garden bed deeply in a sunny, wind-protected spot. To fertilize, mix in mature compost. If the soil temperature is at least 10 degrees Celsius, you can start sowing. The soil should only be moderately moist and should be loosened again immediately before sowing.
3. Set up trellises
So that the tendrils have a good hold right from the start, set up the climbing aids before sowing. Keep a distance of 40 – 50 cm between the poles, about one meter to the next row.
4. Laying out seeds
- lay out 6 – 10 seeds in a circle around each trellis
- maintain a distance of about 10 cm or a hand's breadth
- Place seeds 2 – 3 cm deep in the soil
- cover loosely with soil
5. Care of seedlings and plants
After germination, the runner beans can be piled up to a height of around 15 cm. To germinate, you only need to keep the soil moderately moist. Sufficient water is important for the growth of the plant. The tendrils usually wind around the poles on their own. If not, you can carefully attach it with your hands.
Tips & Tricks
So that the seeds germinate faster, you can place them in water overnight. This allows the hard shell to soften.
