[Quants]

I'm a total novice!  I want to grow some runner beans with the kids and need some advice.  What do need to do the job?

[New shoot]

I'm assuming you just want to show them how plants grow Quants?  Runners are spring sown for summer crops, so they won't come to anything, but its a interesting project for kids to see.

This shows french beans being used, but runners will work the same 

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[Gardener and Rabbit]

Hi Quants, runner beans are normally sown April/May time, so for now all you can do is gather what you'll need.

Runners are often grown on a bamboo frame, say 8ft bamboo canes in a double row, sloping slightly inwards, and meeting another cane running along the top. Also, take a look at the top topic in the Growing FAQ section, Munty's bean frame:  http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=50801.0  Children would also love it if you grew runners over a wigwam frame, and left an entrance for them to go inside! 

You can also prepare the ground where they'll grow now by digging in compost or soil improver. If you plan to grow in a row, a trench filled with compost and covered with soil is good.

If sowing direct into the soil, don't be surprised if you have to re-sow a couple of times either to get a good row. Some years they seem to struggle to get started, probably if it's too cold for them.

Have fun, G&R

[Goosegirl]

I love the idea of G&R's wigwam for them to go inside!  As said, they are usually sown in late spring but teaching the children how to make a nice bed for them to grow in would be good. You can show them how bean seeds germinate by putting them in a plastic box lined with damp kitchen roll (doesn't matter how you put them in). Every bean seed has a "mark" on the inner side from which they first send out a little root called a "plumule" - a word I love the sound of - then the leaf stem follows. You can also show how the stem grows upwards into the light and the root grows down into the soil, especially if you then plant them in compost in a clear plastic cup (with a drainage hole in the bottom) so they can see how the roots develop. If you and/or they can't wait until then, try Broad beans in early spring as they do the same, as will dwarf and climbing French beans a bit later on. Then there's feeding and watering, then picking and cooking! Bear in mind though, that beans shouldn't be eaten raw.

[surbie100]

If you want to try some new stuff without having to buy a big packet, it might be worth putting yourself down for Lardman's pass the parcel. There are some qualifying criteria for being eligible, but it's a really good idea.

More info here: http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=116967.msg1357943#new

[Quants]

Thank you all for you help! :-)