The emergency late batch of runner beans have made it just in time. I sowed half a dozen seeds in a large container when my plants at the plot looked like they wouldn't make it.
I worried that beans wouldn't form and grow in time before the frosts hit.
As you can see, the plan worked, but only just. The strong winds blew the container over a few times but didn't cause any damage to the plants - I have now secured the pot to the shed with string - just in case. And this morning I gathered my first beans. There are enough for a good few meals still left on the plants.
I will definitely do this again next year - not only was it the right decision to have a late batch - but having the plants raised from the ground stopped the slugs from destroying them like they did on the earlier sowings at the plot. I love it when a plan comes together.
That looks like an excellent crop, and good to see you've picked them whilst still young and tender. I haven't grown runners for yonks... just French dwarf beans these days.
ReplyDeleteAlways better late than never. We always sow our runners in pots and transplant.
ReplyDeleteI sow my runner beans in pots and transplant - I picked my first bean a couple of weeks ago. The French and Italian climbing varieties didn't stand a chance this year - nice leaves - some flowers but hardly a bean!
ReplyDeleteGood tip Elaine, thank you. Anything that helps me defeat those damn slugs!
ReplyDeleteOh well done you! Satisfying on all fronts and it just shows that plants will adapt to the seasons. I always try to sow a few extra seeds in August since, in the first veg patch year, we started sowing our seeds in August and had some pretty wonderful lettuce, beetroot and herbs before winter. Nice one, Elaine!
ReplyDeleteI've got some runner beans just a little ahead of yours, I didn't think I was going to get a bean crop this year after the first few sowings were devastated by slugs. I just hope that the frosts stay away for a while now so that I can harvest plenty from the plants.
ReplyDeleteIt's always worth trying a late crop. Hopefully we'll get some nice autumn weather before the frosts start. I'm a runner bean convert this year. They are so much more prolific than French beans and easier to grow :)
ReplyDeleteRunners: my favourites!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Elaine, and they look fabulous. x
ReplyDeleteWell done. You know how I fared. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteOh well done Elaine - you must be so pleased. Think that I will join you and use containers as a back up when it comes to beans next year.
ReplyDeleteI have some late beans in the garden now, and I am glad. They are so delicious.
ReplyDeleteNice crop of late beans Elaine. I had a few plants in large pots early in the year, as the wet windy weather here then, did nothing to aid the growth of the beans planted direct into the ground.
ReplyDeleteYour beans look wonderfully slender. Bet they are tasty too. It's nice to have them this late on.
ReplyDeleteRunner beans were one of my few success this year Elaine. I have just commented on Anna's blog that I more or less gave up on the garden this year. Your beans look lovely and tender.
ReplyDeleteJeanne
The runner beans look fab, hopefully the frosts will hold off and you'll get a good supply throughout October.
ReplyDeleteWell done Elaine...those beans look tasty! I have some beans growing out back that I think they'll produce. Do you remember which day/part of the month that you sowed these?
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd made a note of it or done a blog post but it seems I haven't - I must have sown them sometime in August I think.
DeleteHi Elaine,
ReplyDeleteLovely looking runner beans-and nice and straight-my late runners look a bit curly wurly! What variety did you sow?
They were Moonlight - a self-pollinating type, which was lucky 'cos when I planted them there very few bees about.
DeleteFabulous! An excellent result, and proof that it is always worth trying something new.
ReplyDelete