[ruralbob]

Hi,

Have dug two trenches today ready for runner beans, well rotted manure and peelings going in then back filling ready for the beans later on.

I ask, do you just do this for runner beans or is it worth doing trenches for french beans and broad beans?

Cheers

Jim x

[mumofstig]

worth it for the Frenchies, I wouldn't bother for the broadies

[ruralbob]

Ok. Thanks ever so.

May i ask why not worth it for broad beans???

Will set about another trench before the cold spell hits us.

[mumofstig]

because the aim is to hold water for the climbing beans during summer, broadies don't need as much water and they're usually finished by the time we get any hot weather - if we ever do

[brianbishop]

Lucky you. if I tried to dig a trench on my Tewkesbury plot right now I would have a canal!!!

[gazza975526570]

I dont bother for any really and crops of beans are generally fantastic.

[willp]

I reckon it`s worth doing, and not just for beans. It`s also known as trench composting and is a valid way to add organic matter to any part of the garden. I`ve also done it with squashes and similar heavy feeders.

Generally I find that it is a more convenient way to use my winter veg waste than to put it in a composter, in that it removes a step from the whole composting process. Rather than being composted (with the inputs this needs) then moved onto the garden, it composts in situ.

Will

[richy]

I do it for french beans as well as runner beans, i also do it for courgette and sqaush plants.