DID YOU KNOW?
Originating in Central America, runner beans have been grown in Europe since the 1600s, initially as an ornamental rather than for their edible pods.
Picked when they are young and tender, runner beans are one of the crops I really look forward to harvesting each year. Not only are they high-yielding but with their attractive flowers, they are pleasing on the eye too. And then, of course, they are a real winner in the kitchen, a succulent and tasty green to grace a Sunday roast.
TOP TIP
Make sure your uprights are pushed down to at least 38cm (15in). This is because when the structure is heavy with pods, a strong wind can blow it over if the uprights are not securely sunk in.
PREPARING THE SOIL
Runner beans, like other beans, will benefit from a moist, fertile soil so add plenty of organic matter (well-rotted manure or composted kitchen vegetable waste) to the plot over winter, either digging it in or leaving it on the surface of the soil if you’re using the no-dig method.
TOP TIP
Dig a 38cm (15in) trench in winter where you will be planting your beans, fill it with kitchen vegetable waste and then backfill the soil over it.
FRAMES
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Kitchen Garden.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Kitchen Garden.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SEPTEMBER SPECIALS
This month, with sweetcorn, figs and blackberries on the menu, Anna Cairns Pettigrew is not only serving up something sweet and something savoury, but all things scrumptious
FLAVOURSOME FRUIT AUTUMN RASPBERRIES
September - is it late summer or the start of autumn? David Patch ponders the question and says whatever the season, it's time to harvest autumn raspberries
SOW GREEN THIS AUTUMN
Covering the soil with a green manure in winter offers many benefits and this is a good time to sow hardy types, says KG editor Steve Ott
A HISTORICAL HAVEN OF FRUIT AND FLOWERS
KG's Martin Fish takes time out from his own plot to visit a walled garden in Lincolnshire which has been home to the same family for more than 400 years
RESTORING THE BALANCE
The phrase regenerative gardening is often heard in gardening circles, but what is it? Can it help you to grow better veg? Ecologist Becky Searle thinks so, and tells us why
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
Garden Organic's Anton Rosenfeld shares his expertise on using compost made from green bin collections with handy tips on getting the right consistency and quality
Celebrating Organic September!
In this special section we bring you four great features aimed at improving your crops and allowing nature to thrive
SEEING RED
Do your tomatoes have a habit of remaining stubbornly green? Or perhaps you're lucky to enjoy lots of lovely fruits - just all at once. Either way, Benedict Vanheems is here with some top tips to ripen and process the nation's favourite summer staple
NEW KIDS ON THE BROCCOLI!
Rob Smith is talking broccoli this month with a review of the different types available and suggestions for some exciting new varieties to try
A NEW kitchen garden
Martin Fish is getting down to plenty of picking and planting on the garden veg plot, while Jill is rustling up something pepper-licking good!
