[Aunt Sally]

If you arrange your canes in the X format make sure you tie them together at the top to prevent collapse.

______
\       /
 \     /
  \   /
   \ /
    x
   / \

[Yorkie]

I'd put one or two plants at the base of each cane - so either 11 or 22 canes for the uprights, plus a few for the cross-pieces (depending on length of purchased canes, length of the row, and how much cross-bracing you plan to do)

[Lee G]

So here it is!!

[Paul Plots]

With luck - a photo of my first ever Munty bean-frame taken a couple of weeks ago. 

I planted some early beans at the far end and put up some cover for frost protection.

More recently I've added a short seed-bed row of wallflowers, lettuce and some courgettes underneath. I am hoping I have judged it right and there'll be enough room to wander around picking the beans! 

[Oliver]

... It is actually smaller than it looks in the pic.

I had a thought for all Munty-users: a 'Snapper'

These pruners have long handles and a cut and hold mechanism which is ideal for pruning and deadheading. He has one and loves using it.  You can reach over stuff planted under your Munty to pick the beans.  Just a thought
Oliver
(take a look at the website for a picture: http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/shop/long-reach-pruners

[Casey76]

Well here is my attempt!



I just hope it can cope with the wind lol

[Quetzal]

it's a bit hard to see, but my first bean has got onto the top string. I'm a little concerned about the amount of bushy growth at the bottom, and the 'stringyness' of the main vines, however:

[Aunt Sally]

That looks great.  Nip the top out when  when it reaches the top of the strings and they will bush out to fill your frame

[MoreWhisky]

Im a bit worryed mine wont cling to the roof now that they have reached the top of the back 4ft wall.

Everbody is watchin my frame with intrest, already had ppl planning on making one next yr if mine works.

[Paul Plots]

Im a bit worryed mine wont cling to the roof now that they have reached the top of the back 4ft wall.

Everbody is watchin my frame with intrest, already had ppl planning on making one next yr if mine works.

Sounds as if my runners are a spit in front of yours.... (or my lower side is lower than yours) - as my  beans are romping away along the "roof". Spotted two tiny beans this evening. 

The bottom of my plants, like yours, are really bushy but they are getting the idea - "up, up and away"  and....they are coping with an onslaught of blackfly  (early this year?).

I've had just one comment from neighbouring plot holders = "I see you've tried a new bean-frame." But I have had others taking a new route across the allotments and my paths are getting more wear than usual!! 

Perhaps muntys will be spring up around me next year - if I don't knock myself out or get strangled scrabbling about underneath the frame when the beans are big enough to pick! 

[Oliver]

Perhaps muntys will be spring(ing) up around me next year

My friend had a poly tunnel for many years but when she stopped using it the 'skin' fell to bits which left the frame. She has threaded the frame with string and has a perfect 'munty' for her beans. She has been growing beans like this for years and says it's very easy to pick the beans, and it looks nice, although a bit problematical if you plant stuff under the beans - you must look where you walk, or tramp on stuff! 
Oliver

[harrymac]

I forgot to add that I've already had beetroot, intercropped with spring onions, in the same bed as the runners. As this will be a brassica bed next year I'll shortly be planting some purple sprouting broccoli in their place. Yet more good reasons to have a Munty frame.

[MoreWhisky]

My first plant has now grown to the top of the 'roof' , thats 10ft im amazed.

Now do i top the plant or something?

Im growing lettuces , Spring onions , beetroot  amd butternut squashes under mine. All seem to be doing very well to.

Ive also grown sweet peas up the bottom corners and put my sun flowers growing up the front 2 posts so its looking a real nice structure.

[Paul Plots]

I don't think I'd nip out the tips.... but I imagine others will disagree. Usually I just let my beans roam about and find a place to hang on to and continue growing where they wish. 

[DD.]

Wouldn't have thought it matters which string they grew along, the idea is the beans hang down.

There's no way my beans grow up the cane I plant them by! They average themselves out.