Growing Runner beans from seed

The humble runner bean is considered an easy win in UK gardens. Whether you’re new to growing your own or an old hat, the process of sowing runner beans and reaping the rewards at harvest time is often a smooth one – but only with the right advice!
June is the perfect time to sow runner bean seeds or plant out seedlings. It takes just 12 to 16 weeks for a runner bean seed to become ready to harvest, with germination taking as little as 5 to 7 days. Read our top tips for growing runner beans from seed, and enjoy this versatile, nutritious veggie this summer.

Sow at the right time

While sowing seeds during early spring should be done indoors, runner bean seeds can be directly sown outside from late May to July. Pick a sunny, sheltered spot for planting seeds out, preferably in weed-free soil that’s been enriched with well-rotted compost or manure.
As well as planting directly in the ground or your veggie patch, runner bean seeds do particularly well in containers. Containers should be large in size however for the best results. Sow your seeds 5cm deep and at least 30cm apart.

Support your seedlings

Runner beans need a lot of support, with some varieties able to reach 6 to 10 feet in height if the support and growing conditions are right.
When picking the perfect support, make sure it is as sturdy as possible. Swap traditional canes for beautiful, long lasting obelisks to create a feature of your growing runner beans as well as provide the best support.

Time watering well

It’s not just support runner beans need to succeed. They are known for being very, very thirsty, but remember, there’s a fine line between moist and waterlogged soil, especially when growing runner beans in containers. Balance regular watering with a layer or two of mulch to retain moisture.

Harvest when young

It is important to time your harvest right too. The best flavour comes from young, stringless pods that are around 15 to 20 cm in length. Picking your runner beans regularly encourages your plant to produce more flowers, which means a bountiful harvest for you! If you miss this window, don’t worry; old beans should still be picked to prolong production.

If you have more runner beans than you can eat, don’t forget that runner beans freeze well, meaning you get to enjoy them long after summer has been and gone.

Looking for something to support your runners beans?  Look no further than one of our fantastic Obelisks.