Growing runner beans is doubly worthwhile. Firstly, they produce tasty, vitamin-rich pods with high yields after just ten weeks. Secondly, they take up less space in the garden bed than bush beans because their tendrils grow upwards. A prerequisite for this are climbing aids. Smaller varieties are suitable for the greenhouse.
How to successfully grow runner beans in the garden?
To grow runner beans in the garden, choose a sunny, wind-protected bed with loose, humus-rich soil. Pay attention to temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius, optimal water supply and moderate fertilization. Set up trellises such as bean tents and plant seed-resistant varieties such as “Neckarkönigin”, “Neckargold” or “Blauhilde”.
pole beans in the garden
With a bed in a sunny, wind-protected location and a loose, humus-rich soil, you provide good starting conditions for the runner beans. Sowing takes place from mid-May and you can harvest the first pods after just ten weeks.
Even though runner beans are easy to care for, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Runner beans like it warm: Above all, the soil temperature should be at least 10 degrees Celsius before sowing or planting.
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optimal water supply: During the germination period, moderately moist soil is sufficient. If leaves and flowers appear, they need to be watered more often. The runner bean reacts sensitively towaterlogging.
- Fertilize runner beans moderately: By incorporating compost into the garden soil, you are already ensuring sufficient nutrients. Horn shavings (€52.00 on Amazon) and low-nitrogen fertilizer can be used during growth.
- Don’t forget the climbing aid
Climbing aid for runner beans
Runner beans climb to a height of 3 meters. In order for the tendrils to find a firm hold, it is essential to use climbing aids. Bean tents, which usually consist of bamboo poles or thin trellises and are set up like a tent in the bed, have proven successful.
pole beans for outdoor use
Pole beans are available in a variety of varieties. There are the classic green, yellow and blue varieties. In addition to many resistant new varieties, centuries-old varieties have also proven successful.
- green bean: “Neckarkönigin” – the most tried and tested variety, stringless, 28 cm long, fleshy pods, weather-resistant
- yellow bean: “Neckargold” – fleshy bean, suitable for freezing
- blue bean: “Blauhilde” – stringless variety with 30 cm long, thick-fleshed pods, virus-resistant
- old variety: “Berner Landfrauen” – robust country variety, green pods with purple speckles, stringless, delicate taste, for vegetables and salads
pole beans for the greenhouse
The “Rakker” variety is suitable for the greenhouse. The green spaghetti bean only grows to a maximum height of 2 meters.
Tips & Tricks
Runner beans fit well in the herb and vegetable patch. In a mixed culture with garden cress and sage or with cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce and zucchini, everyone benefits from the nitrogen-releasing and at the same time low-consuming pole beans.
