[Aunt Sally]

runners must be one thing that isn't made better with cheese 

Oh they can.

When we have a glut of runners I often eat a big plateful of steaming beans with grated cheese on top.

YUMMM YUMMM YUMM yummm

[mumofstig]

No no no, sorry, that just isn't right  *shudders*

[Ice]

I have had mine with a nice mustardy cheese sauce, delish.

[sunshineband]

I have had mine with a nice mustardy cheese sauce, delish.

Ah, now that does sound good.

Never tried it but will this year 

Thanks Ice 

[Ice]

Ah, now that does sound good.

Half Dijon, half whole grain.

[shokkyy]

I always hated runner beans till I started growing my own and discovered stringless varieties, and now I love them. Mine have put off loads of flowers and I have seen bees buzzing around them, but still no pods yet. My climbing French beans have just started flowering, so fingers crossed.

[hubballi]

The plants in the greenhouse are still looking healthy but a patheticly small yield  of about 4 tiny, bent beans so far. For the size of the pot, cost of compost it is def not worth it for me 

I am doing everything as advised.

[Chrysalis]

Had to pick french beans twice today!  Sent some to OH's Mum and ate some myself.  Thin pencil pods - some like straws - the real French stuff. yummy yummy yummy! Also, the runners have finally started.  A slow season, but worth the wait - hope they come good for you, too, H!

[hubballi]

Nah, won't bother with FB again. Healthy plants in greenhouse with a pathetic small 3 beans in months of growth. Runner beans however romping away with LARGE long pods in abundance. It's a no brainer (for want of a better word) between the two.

[Goosegirl]

How strange! I usually grow a climbing FB in the greenhouse with great success, but it does take over, so I tried dwarf ones this year between my sweetcorn (another trial). I grew 5 in pots and planted them in late April-May, then I direct sowed some more behind them. I have been picking lots of straight and very tender beans for a couple of months (Variety - Molly) and the first lot are still producing. I have left the doors open all the time though - is pollination an issue?

[mumofstig]

Pollination shouldn't be an issue because, as I already posted above,  French beans are self-pollinating 

Perhaps it's just too hot in there as I think Hubbali said that he likes to keep the doors closed to stop slugs

[Aunt Sally]

I grow dwarf french beans (delinel) outside and they grow very well.  I pick enough beans from about 20 plants to freeze enough for all through the winter.

[hubballi]

Pollination shouldn't be an issue because, as I already posted above,  French beans are self-pollinating 

Perhaps it's just too hot in there as I think Hubbali said that he likes to keep the doors closed to stop slugs

I keep them closed at night and on rainy days.