[Russell Atterbury]

I have been witness to my climbing french bean at varying stages of growth from a foot, to a yard to flowering/early fruiting go from just about getting there to now looking like death and no way back. This has been over the last month really, a lot of rain, differing temperatures especially at night. So today I have started 10 indoor pots of runner beans, just because I have finally realised that the frenchies will not miraculously recover. So has anyone in northern-ish UK managed to get anything from runner started this late, I know it's worth a try, but I like to prepare myself for disappointment wherever possible?

[mumofstig]

It all just depends on how early cold weather sets in, some years you can get lucky, they're no hardier than French beans, though. If you've got the space it's worth a try..

[Russell Atterbury]

I thought about digging out the ones that are not going to make it, and when the young ones and weather hopefully coincide, put them in the old places. Would this be ok mumofstig?

[JayG]

Climbing French beans would be a good choice to grow in your polytunnel if you've got the space as they don't need pollinating by insects and would of course be protected from the worst of any low temperatures.
I've got half a dozen or so growing in a old chicken-poo container (with holes in the bottom for drainage) and they're doing quite well at the moment (pic - these are Cobra - not many beans visible because I've only just picked them!)

[Russell Atterbury]

I have been toying with the idea of trying to get french bean under plastic somehow. My polyhouse will have to be a tomato and chillie place each year, because they are both crops that we would not want to replace. I built one of the family daughters a tepee style plastic place that has worked out superbly for her tomato and cucumber, maybe next year I can construct my own one and get the last of my french bean seeds into it. Climbing french bean are unheard of in Russia, they only have the bush ones, so it would be a last attempt as I only have a few seed left, and that is the main reason my last ditch attempt with runner this year.

[basketcase]

Having just got an allotment myself, I've cheated and bought some dwarf French Beans and Runner Beans (Firestorm and Moonlight).

There's been a fair bit of clearing to do - not helped by an injured back.  But my daughter's going to help, so I hope to get some of them planted this weekend(ish).

We're in Aberdeen (c 57degN, but near the coast).  So I'll let you know how it goes.  The weeds were romping away - probably still are! - so, hopefully, the beans will have fun too.