Whether just for privacy or for eating - runner beans are visually impressive with their scarlet red flowers alone. So that it doesn't take too long until harvest, you can prefer the runner beans!
When can you prefer runner beans?
Fire beans can be grown at home from mid/late April by soaking the seeds in water and then sowing them in potting soil. The beans will germinate after 4 to 14 days and can then be planted outdoors after the ice saints.
When can it start?
Some impatient gardeners prefer runner beans as early as March. However, such an early pre-culture is not recommended. It is better if you only grow the runner beans at home from mid/late April. You can always grow new plants until the beginning of July at the latest.
Soak the beans in water
The first (but not necessarily necessary) step is to place the runner beans in a glass or bowl of water. The beans stay there for 12 to 48 hours. They soak up water and the germination inhibition is released. They then germinate more quickly.
Sow the beans in pots and let them germinate
Continue as in these instructions:
- Fill 5 to 8 cm wide pots with potting soil (€6.00 on Amazon) (bowls are unsuitable due to the deep roots)
- Sow seeds with the navel facing upwards 2 to 3 cm deep
- feel free to sow 3 to 5 seeds per seed hole
- Moisten the substrate
In a warm and bright window seat, for example in the living room or kitchen (from May also on the balcony), the runner beans germinate within 4 to 14 days. Requirement: permanently slightly moist environment.
When the cotyledons become visible
When the cotyledons become visible, feel free to put the runner bean plants outside during the day. There they get used to the direct sunlight and grow faster. The young plants can be planted out after 3 to 4 weeks. It is important that this does not happen in front of the Ice Saints! Otherwise there is a risk of frost damage.
Tip
Preferring has the great advantage that, in contrast to direct sowing, the seedlings are not eaten by snails and then die.
