[viettaclark]

Me again!
I've planted out my Purple Teepee and have been told I can get away with planting much closer than I have because it's a raised bed.
Packet says 24" apart when planting out but sow direct 6" apart. Is this to allow for thinning out and non-germination?
I've actually planted about 10" apart which I thought was ok....?
Any thoughts, please?

[sunshineband]

Ten inches apart is just fine, because they will get good care and plenty of water I'm sure 

[Ice]

Had to Google purple teepee as I only ever plant Boston.  However, they are both dwarf plants and as sunshineband says, 10 inches would be ok with tlc.

[viettaclark]

Yes, Sunshine...I've dug deep down in the 18" high bed and filled up with cardboard, newspaper and partially rotted kitchen waste then covered with a mix of my compost, manure and topsoil. Should keep it damp below!!! The raised beds dried out very quickly last year and my beans weren't very good so I'm taking more care this year using advice found on this brilliant site.........
Thanks everyone!

[Trillium]

I always break the rules with french bush beans and seed them about an inch apart. climbing beans get about  3" apart. None of my harvest suffers for cropping.

[rhysdad]

Is it not too early to sow directly outside?

[Jamie Butterworth]

I sowed mine inside and planted themout last weekend

[PennyS]

I've grown Purple Teepee before and can't understand why they should be 2ft distance apart.  They don't spread that much (well mine didn't).  I'll be growing mine closer! 

[rhysdad]

I sowed mine inside and planted themout last weekend

And you're 'oop North' too, crikey, i'd better get cracking!! It's still early enough isn't it.....??

[diggerjoe]

two plots on our site have them already planted out and not fleeced over these cold night either and they look good and strong - still waiting for my potted one to show their faces

[PennyS]

Don't panic diggerjoe... my packet says plant direct from May - and it's only the 5th...!

[RichardA]

I woudl have gone for 9 inches apart and 24 inches between rows. If space is tight then I often do a double row at 9 inches apart and then a 24 inch gap and then another double row.
R

[viettaclark]

Trill....I assume when you say you plant an inch apart that Ma Nature does your spacing for you? ie the strongest plants survive and that's the best spacing for that crop?
I grew these purple beans last year and they were about 6" apart and there was overcrowding which is why I'm going for 9/10"
Deffo info on the packet was 24" or 6" outside. The 24" is probably to get between rows but it's not specified at all.
I'll just bung 'em in !!! They grow so quickly I can have more ready if there's room......

[Trillium]

I actually lose none in this tight spacing; in fact, they seem to like it. They all support one another and pollination is excellent between touching each other and the bees crawling in. The yields are what I expect and I rarely have any pest or disease problems.
The climbing types can be so close because I string them right up my Munty frame lines which still gives them a lot of air circulation, support and access for bees.
Mind, the trick is to first prep the soil well with lots of rotted manure, BFB meal, and I also add mycorrhizal to the planting trench at the bean level. This encourages lots of feeder roots once the seeds sprout. And I water regularly as we get little rain through the summer.

Rhysdad, it's not too early to direct seed outside as the seeds will be sprouting by the time the summer weather arrives near the end of the month. If any freak frosts are predicted after they sprout, I simply spread fleece over the row for the night.

[green fingers]

Not going to put my beans for a week or two