[cabbagehead]

Firstly, I have a small raised bed 3ft L x 9 inches W x 12 inches D. About six weeks ago I layed some manure and veg., skins, then a layer of compost on top.

This is where I'm getting confused. Instructions say. If I sow seeds in pots then transplant, space them 12 inches apart (not rows) If I sow direct in the ground, space 6 inches apart. It doesn't say to thin at 12 inchs.

Why such a difference? Three runners in my plot or six. 

[Yorkie]

Not sure why the difference, but I'd probably aim to put about 5 plants in the bed, just make sure you apply some fertiliser and water regularly

[Jodie A]

My runner bean sticks are between a foot and 15 inches apart (went a bit wobbly on the construction there), and I'll stick 2 pot germinated beans against each pole (on the inside - so in the event of late frost you can affix foam sheeting/bubble wrap/newspapers to the outside of the sticks and hold on with string).

After that, I'll germinate some runner beans singly in those plastic coffee cups, to replace any failures.

[cabbagehead]

Thanks guys.

[peterjf]

my spacings are 8-9 inches apart, 2 inches deep, and we plant 2 bean plants per cane , all together we have

46 runner bean plants on the go ,  then we save 100 beans to dry out for next year ,