[victoria_plum]

I have seen the ENORMOUS thread on here regarding the 'Munty Frame' which looks great.  But I only have bamboo canes.  I have a space ready for beans and I'm going to build my frame tomorrow.  Last year we did wigwams which were successful but this year we want the bean frame to double up as a privacy screen.  We were going to just do a traditional A frame, but it is bugging me that they are so impractical for bean picking.

Can anyone suggest an alternative - it is annoying as I keep tinking to myself that there must be an alternative out there - I just can't think of it!

I wondered if this was feasible?

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[digalotty]

try this   /\
            /    \
if you only grow beans on one side then on the supporting side put one each end then if you need to put one in the middle to take the weight , this should work ok and take any winds that may blow across it

[Yorkie]

I do an X shape rather than an A shape with the canes - the beans hang down on the outside on the top half of the canes

[JayG]

I "went Munty" last year but I agree with Yorkie that an "X" shape is better than the traditional inverted "V" when if comes to the growth and harvesting of beans.

I would add that you do need strong and reasonably new canes because they have to support a lot of weight for up to half their length without being supported themselves.

[PennyS]

I'm trying this...! Hope it shows properly in the photo... I hope it will be easier than an A frame for picking, and I only had a small area of ground to devote to runners....

[andy135]

Penny, I think those poles may bend like fly fishing rods when they get the weight of the beans on them. I may be wrong but I do think that they may need a little bit more support. Good luck with them.

[tam]

I grow mine straight up I put a pair of waist height 3'x2' posts in about 7' apart, then tied a bamboo cane horizontally across between them. Then put a row of upright canes in along it, tying then into the cross cane for support. It makes a great screen

I guess if you tipped the upright canes at a slight angle the means would hang down to make picking easier but I didn't find it difficult. It's not like an A frame or teepee as the beans aren't hanging into the centre underneath just straight down.

[victoria_plum]

Thank you, everyone!

So far I am keen on digalotty and tam's ideas.  Tam - are the canes supported enough with this method??

[PennyS]

Penny, I think those poles may bend like fly fishing rods when they get the weight of the beans on them. I may be wrong but I do think that they may need a little bit more support. Good luck with them.

They're hazel cuttings so they might be bendy. I'm not concerned if they bend, only if they break, but they're quite substantial so hope that they don't!  I'll see how they go.  I do intend to pick every day or other day so hope the weight won't get too much!

[victoria_plum]

Well I am thrilled with my new bean frame.  If it works I think will be my permanent bean style!!  It is almost like a simplified Munty.

From the front it looks like this - /|||||||||||\ (with a long cane across the top obviously)
From the side, like this /|\

So to explain - I have dome three A frame supports, one at each end and one in the middle.  Then the long cane across the top.  At each end I have put in an extra supoortive cane going out to the sides, like Guy ropes.  Then I have all my canes going along the other side, so the sun gets in underneath the frame, making for more planting room and more room for crops, plus complete access for easy pickings.

It looks great - will try and post a pick later today (if the damn rain stops!)  Thank you so much for the idea Digalotty!

[Aidy]

I have used this for many a year, I hear its an old way of doing it, I like it coz it dont take much growing space at the bottom unlike the traditional inverted V.....

[vet]

I like that Aidy. I'm always running out of space. Have done a Munty frame, but might get OH to make this as a comparison as I want to plant more beans anyway.

[mumofstig]

what have you made your frame out of Aidy? it'd have to be strong

[Aidy]

what have you made your frame out of Aidy? it'd have to be strong

The main crucifix as it known on the site is 3x2, the supporting beams are also 3x2. the uprights are sunk into 36inch of pipe which has been filled with concrete.  I shall take a couple of snaps tonight and re-post so you can see.

[tam]

Tam - are the canes supported enough with this method??

Worked last year and the canes stayed up all winter.. new beans growing at the bottom again this time.