Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: Sparkyrog on March 05, 2013, 18:43

Title: Runner Beans
Post by: Sparkyrog on March 05, 2013, 18:43

I propose putting some in my poly tunnel for the village show as its early is this practical ?  :)

Title: Re: Runner Beans
Post by: LilacSandy on March 05, 2013, 18:58

Not unless you can keep it frost free.

Title: Re: Runner Beans
Post by: Sparkyrog on March 05, 2013, 19:06

For the sake of a dozen seeds not to  bothered it's more the polination I am thinking of  :)

Title: Re: Runner Beans
Post by: mumofstig on March 05, 2013, 19:09

You'd have to have the doors open when/if they get to flowering time  ;)

Title: Re: Runner Beans
Post by: Sparkyrog on March 05, 2013, 19:17

Realise that mum :) but I only need to be a month early and I always plant marigolds either end to attract bees anyway ! Thanks

 Roger

Title: Re: Runner Beans
Post by: shokkyy on March 05, 2013, 19:21

I'm growing early French beans and mangetout in my tunnel, so don't see why not. Have to protect them with a bit of fleece if it's cold, obviously. I've sowed the mangetout directly in the tunnel bed but I've started off the French beans indoors. I'll move them to the tunnel under fleece as soon as they've germinated.

Last year, I did actually sow my outdoor French and runner beans in pots under fleece in the tunnel, but not until April. It was kind of an experiment to see how well they'd germinate there, and I had about 100% germination. It does avoid all the hassle of starting them in the house and then having to harden them off before moving to the tunnel.

Title: Re: Runner Beans
Post by: Sparkyrog on March 05, 2013, 19:23

Thanks for that Shokky I thought to sow direct in the third week of march  :)

Title: Re: Runner Beans
Post by: richyrich7 on March 05, 2013, 21:58

I'm trying firestorm runner beans this year according to T&M they are " completely self fertile "
So these may be ok for you in the polytunnel , not sure what they are like for show tho'

Title: Re: Runner Beans
Post by: GrannieAnnie on March 05, 2013, 22:30

I've grown beans and peas in my tunnel before, not this early mind, but they grew fine!

Title: Re: Runner Beans
Post by: Totty on March 06, 2013, 21:52

So long as you can get the pollinators in there and keep em watered well they should grow really well. Got some saved jescot long un seed and growing them in a large greenhouse. 25 inches the target  ;)

Totty

Title: Re: Runner Beans
Post by: Sparkyrog on March 07, 2013, 09:12

Thanks for the comments all,and I will look into the self fertile one's Richyrich7. Watering won't be a problem Totty I have a sprinkler system right through the tunnel  :)

Title: Re: Runner Beans
Post by: Sparkyrog on March 07, 2013, 13:29

Firestorm are now on offer at 49P