When to plant
runner beans in the UK
Build a strong frame — they get seriously heavy. Pick every 2-3 days or they go stringy and the plant stops producing.
Growing journey
11 weeks from planting out to harvest · Start indoors 6 weeks before planting out
Get runner beans seeds
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What runner beans need
Sun. Deep rich soil. A tall, solid support frame.
Spacing
15cm between plants · 20cm between rows
Space evenly in rows. Thin seedlings early to avoid crowding.
Varieties to try
When to sow runner beans
Based on UK average frost date. Enter your postcode for exact dates, or find your city.
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Where to buy runner beans seeds
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What you'll need for runner beans
The stuff beginners wish they'd bought sooner.
Standard canes are too short for climbers. You need 8ft minimum — they reach 2-3m and you'll bury 15cm in the soil.
For tying plants to canes and a hundred other jobs. Biodegradable, won't cut into stems.
Safety first — prevent eye injuries when bending over the plot. They also grip canes together at the wigwam top.
Alternative to a full cane wigwam. Drape over an A-frame — large mesh (12cm+) so you can pick through it.
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Other crops to grow
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Sow early spring or after midsummer — it'll bolt faster than you can blink in th
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Plant bare-root canes in winter for the cheapest option. Summer varieties fruit
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