[philskin]

This year I intend to have a 45ft - 50ft run of runner beans have got painted lady, enorma and lady di ,now this will require a huge amount of 8 ft canes . Is it safe and possible to use string and if so what sort ,dont want the beans sliding down into a heap on the floor  thanks  (  novice getting there slowly )  phil

[Pompey Spud]

Hi.
Best bet IMO would be to try the wigwam method.

Worked for me a treat last year.mg]

[philskin]

the bean trench has already been dug and filled with muck compost etc ,and im planning on the traditional set up with a row at the back and front in a tent fashion but as i said this will require a phenomenal amount of canes which is why i wanted to know about the string thanks 

[richyrich7]

Yeah use string  Phil, I never use canes for my beans it's a waste of money IMHO. Good stout frame and then string up, last two years I've used two wooden posts  with an old long wooden ladder between them, and then weaved a network of string up and down.

[philskin]

thanks rich what sort of string would you recommend , and what are you up to this weekend ?

[richyrich7]

I've had a huge roll of nylon string it's not a real tight braid and they seem to climb it with ease,  anything like that will do like bayler twine or that green string thats sold in Wilko's etc.   
What I tend to do is have some stakes in the ground around the perimeter of the frame you can then tie a length at ground level all around, you then weave it up and down from there to the top support.

this weekend I'm potting on brassica seedlings in the greenhouse and planting a couple of apple trees I've just bought. Also if I get time I'll spread out all the part decomposed  leaves I have all over my spud patch. 

And allotment shop tomorrow need some supplies.

[LivvyW]

Take a look at 'Munty's one way to grow runner beans' thread 2nd from top of GYo page.
We are constructing ours today.

[Aunt Sally]

The string I use (on my Munty frame) is called coir and I get it from my local garden centre.  It's the type they use for hops and it nice and thick and hairy giving the beans a good grip.


Like THIS 

[philskin]

thanks aunt sal and rich ,just couldnt justify buying that amount of canes.The munty frame is a brilliant idea except my bean trench is in the only place it could go and it would mean over hanging into our field but the cattle will be there in a cpl of months so its a no no

[Stripey_cat]

Just use enough canes to support the row, bearing in mind how heavy beans get in full crop, and how hard the wind can blow!  Then drop a string each side of the ridge for each pair of plants, and whittle some tentpegs (or bend some staples out of scraps of fence-wire) to peg the bottom of the strings out.

[hindy]

Last year I used a row of high canes and strung bean  netting from them, worked a treat. This year though I'm going for wigwams

[madcat]

Ours went up std green plastic-y garden twine no problem.  It wasn't grip I was bothered about, it was weight.  But it was fine.  The bit that gave was the support across the top - needed a bit more muscle.  Go for it!

[richyrich7]

Anyone even got any Runner beans in yet ?? mine won't come out the packet for nearly 3 weeks or so.

[hindy]

Anyone even got any beans in yet ?? mine won't come out the packet for nearly 3 weeks or so.

Only Broad Beans

[richyrich7]

Anyone even got any beans in yet ?? mine won't come out the packet for nearly 3 weeks or so.

Only Broad Beans

  I better edit that to say Runner beans