[Paul Plots]

yes i got a pack of 5 caines for £1.50 at wilkos i dont think you will find them any cheaper than that

£2.50 for ten locally but depends upon the length 

[digalotty]

yes they are 8' so a bargain to be had

[Trikidiki]

Walked to the local garden centre yesterday to buy some canes, didn't think they'd fit in the car and the dog wanted a walk.

10 for £4.99, I had seen them the same in other centres as well.

Went to The Range today and their canes were labelled at £2.99 for 6.

Same price per cane but they were quite spindly compared to those I bought at the GC. I would have been happy spending a premium to get the thicker canes rather than have the beans break the canes under weight of beans or from wind shear.

[lacewing]

Are you not going to be erecting a munty's bean frame half plot?
I've been waiting all winter to build one since I saw it on here, finished it today.
   It's the first one ever seen on my allotments, caused quite a stir it did

I'm a little confused as to how to do a munty bean support (not too difficult to confuse me)
Am I right in thinking the posts go east to west, with  the tall end south and the short end north,  how much space between the two sets of posts.? I want to get it right, otherwise I could get into a fine old tangle.

[Carol]

I feel really guilty every time I use a bamboo cane which has been shipped halfway across the world, when we have native trees like hazel that produce lovely beanpoles.  But it is very difficult to source long hazel poles, and they do work out expensive.

I do always use my winter prunings as pea sticks.  Buddleia prunings are quite useful for this, but don't come up tall enough for beanpoles.

I do have a lovely Munty frame, which has served me well for several years now, but still like to put up the occasional wigwam as well.

[JayG]

I'm a little confused as to how to do a munty bean support (not too difficult to confuse me)
Am I right in thinking the posts go east to west, with  the tall end south and the short end north,  how much space between the two sets of posts.? I want to get it right, otherwise I could get into a fine old tangle.

Munty's original plans did suggest that the tall end faces south but I have never entirely understood why although it worked very well for me last year.

It is more of a concept than an exact blueprint, the idea being that the beans have room to grow (no congestion at the top as with wigwams or inverted "V" formations) and that most of the beans hang down from the angled section of the frame letting them grow straighter and also making them easier to pick.

There is no point providing a total growing distance of more than about 9 feet as runners only grow that tall so the choice is yours really. Mine goes 3 feet vertically and 5 feet at a 45 degree angle to maximise the "easy picking" distance, but I've seen others going 5:3 or thereabouts.

If you draw your desired shape to scale on graph paper (or use long matchsticks!) the distance between the front and back posts will automatically fall into place. 

Have fun!

[cooperman]

if available try your local allotments associations shop.  I| know not everyone has one on site but if you check locally there is usually one somewhere nearby (ask the council)
You will find they are very cheap and usually sell at virtually cost price.

[lacewing]

Thanks for that JayG, got the idea now.

[Yabba]

Munty's original plans did suggest that the tall end faces south but I have never entirely understood why although it worked very well for me last year.

I'm guessing it's because the sun goes e->w at a slightly southerly angle, even at height of summer ( above the clouds ), so they'd be "encouraged" to grow along the frame?

Either way, mines n -> s because that's the only way that fit my space

There is no point providing a total growing distance of more than about 9 feet as runners only grow that tall

Heh, mine grew up the 5' short side and then across a 3' bed, a 3' path, another 3' bed ... I'm hoping like hell it's not beginners luck

¥

[Paul Plots]

A long time ago a local factory made refrigerators and periodically had a turn out of all the pieces that were unusable (cracked, damaged, twisted, chipped etc). Someone provided my dad with dozens of lengths of 1" right-angled white plastic covered metal strips around 8' long. Although the rust is gradually creeping through in places they have made the most excellent bean poles for years - I'm still using them now!

Recycling at its best? 

[monsta]

i just got a load of old roofing latts around 8 foot long 

[Paul Plots]

i just got a load of old roofing latts around 8 foot long 

Another good example of recycling!! 

[Half a plot man]

Thanks for all advice folks, the munty bean support looks ace! Would certainly turn a few old heads at our allotments......