[mikegm]

I have been growing runner beans for the first time this year, unfortunately a bit on the 'stringy' side, possibly my fault for not picking earlier whilst small?  I believe there are a 'stringless' variety-what is the name I should look for next time?

[mumofstig]

I find most of varieties are fairly stringless if picked small. It's only the ones I missed under the leaves, that I've had to string, because they got tooo big

[shokkyy]

I grew White Lady this year, which are a stringless variety, and I'm finding that even picked pretty big there's still no stringiness about them at all.

[DD.]

Take a lot of beating, don't they?

[shokkyy]

Take a lot of beating, don't they?

Yes, I'm a convert. I didn't grow runner beans for years because I really didn't enjoy them that much, but these are really nice beans. It's just a pity it's been such a poor growing year (for me, at least). I only started picking them just over a week ago, and though they are cropping strongly now there isn't too much time left before the weather starts turning autumnal. My Cobra beans have already started dying back, and they didn't crop for long at all.

[Lady Rosemary]

I have stringless runners but they are getting stringy now, regardless of how small  I pick them.    All the beans seem to be growing less quickly which makes me think the weather is finally starting to turn, and autumn is just around the corner .... so much to do in so little time.... 

Mandy

[Lardman]

Take a lot of beating, don't they?

Just me that doesn't like them then ? I really think Desiree are much better in every respect.