[smellykipper]

Hi guys, do any of you grow different types of bean on the same row ? if its not a good idea, why not ?

SK 

[LilacSandy]

The only reason not to is if you want to save the seeds, otherwise there is no problem

[Eightball]

whilst being from the same family broad beans, runner beans and french beans are all in a different species/genus so won't cross with each other. If you plant two of the same type next to each other eg. two types of runner bean then they might cross.

Apart from that, I shouldn't imagine growing them in the same row should be a problem.

[diospyros]

I suppose if they grow to radically different sizes or mature at very different times, it could make things a bit untidy if you're trying to keep things simple.

[gavinjconway]

I do about 8 different runner / climber types and grow about 6-10 of each - depends on germination. I plant them in a row then start the next type then the next etc. Plant them about 4" apart and I have 3 frames for them to climb up giving me a total of about 9mt of row. Last year I reaped 31 kilos of runners... yes I have a large freezer... x 2 !!  I cut all as a mixed job lot as picked, then blanch for a minute and freeze in take away tubs.. The mix of all the types as picked give a great taste.

[mumofstig]

, runner beans and french beans are all in a different species/genus so won't cross with each other. If you plant two of the same type next to each other eg. two types of runner bean then they might cross.

Apart from that, I shouldn't imagine growing them in the same row should be a problem.

Runner beans and French beans can cross - that's how they bred the new self-pollinating runner beans Moonlight 

Discussion here
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=72250.msg822953#msg822953

[DD.]

I remember that bean.

Tough as old boots!

[Eightball]

interesting, not had that happen personally.

[smellykipper]

i have climbing french bean "cobra", climbing french bean "borlotto" and climbing french bean "blue lake" i will let you all know how it goes

SK

[mumofstig]

As already said - you'll be fine unless you save seeds 

[VegGirl7]

I grew climbing borlotti and a climbing french bean on the same A frame (one each side) and found it hard to tell which was which when the beans were young so couldn't tell which to harvest... I have vowed to grow them separately from now on 

[pigguns]

I had a mix of those last year- they grew fine, very pretty with different greens and flowers, very slug yummy those ones by the way.   I had a lot of early trouble