[BellaBean]

My french beans went yellow, and I thought I have planted them too early (new allotment, so far too keen).

Planted my really healthy runners out 3 weeks ago, healthylooking on Saturday, and now they are turning yellow like the french beans.  What am I doing wrong, and can i rescue them.  Could it be the manure in the bed.  My other crops are ok.  One other allotment has yellow runners, but not as bad as mine. 

[peapod]

its not too early unless youve had a cold snap over a night or two that could have checked them? 
Id give them a feed and see if that helps..they are hungry guys.  Check thy have plenty of water too....

[Yorkie]

Where are you in the country - can you edit your profile so we can be more tailored in advice?

Some areas of the country have had cold weather recently; snow in cumbria and scotland.  That is a possible cause.  Anything below about 5 degrees C can be a little too harsh if not fleeced.

If the leaves are just yellow and not curled, it's unlikely to be the manure.

My beans always go yellow after planting but not usually that long afterwards.  Try a general purpose liquid feed and see if they green up.  Wouldn't have thought it's fatal.

[sarah44]

I have been growing my Runner Beans for the last 2 years, and rotating them on the plot,and I have the same problem this year. I added manure for the first time over winter!!
I had also planted some spare plants in a large pot (different soil) at the same time and in the same area....and they are not yellowing and already have some red flowers appearing.
Fortunately the yellowing ones are growing well. It could be a deficiency ? I will take advise also, and feed mine. See how it goes.
I think I may also start a few more off.. just incase

[BellaBean]

Thanks everyone for your advice, I think I will also feed them. 

Interesting what Sarah44 said regarding the manure, as our allotment site is brand new (Milton Keynes being full of new builds, they have left space for allotments) and as the soil is clay my friend and I added manure to that bed only, so I wonder if anyone else would think it could be the manure.  Allotment plots were only issued in December, so we are all novices, with lots of digging still to do

[Ivor Backache]

Are you talking about the large singular seed leaves (which will go yellow and die) or the true leaves which are smaller and composite. Some of my runners look a little sad but the twining stems are already making their way up the poles.

[BobandJack]

All of my French beans look sad & yellow & loads of them are eaten - so much for nematodes.  I'm gutted really 

[mumofstig]

Think it's been a tad too cold for the half hardy stuff, even the toms in the polytunnel are not that happy...a bit yellowy fingers crossed for a bit of warmth and i'm sure everything will look ok again

[richyrich7]

If the manure was not well rotted then that's probably the cause, yellowing of the leaves can be a sign of nitrogen deficiency, I'd give them a good feed with a liquid fertilizer like miracle grow, phostrogen etc, that may help.

Beans and peas can "fix" nitrogen themselves in nodules of bacteria on their roots but it takes a while for them to be able to do this, when your beans are over at the end of the season leaves the roots in and dig them in as you dig they will then release the nitrogen into the ground.  

[vetskh]

I agree about the manure not being adequately rotted likely to be a problem. I believe it needs nitrogen to help it rot down before it can release all the nutrients. I put in my courgette and squash plants this year in 2 beds, one bed i worked in manure and fertiliser, in the other I didn't have the fertiliser with me. the bed with the extra fetiliser looks very healthy with dark green leaves the other is looking ok just a it more yellow.

[richyrich7]

Your right vetskh  the bacteria that break down manure etc need to use available nitrogen in the soil to do their job and create nitrogen etc to make it available for the plant roots.

[BellaBean]

Thanks guys for all your help, I will get some liquid feed, and be more careful with the manure

[ash]

My runner beans have gone very yellow too.   

I planted "White Lady" runners for the first time (seeds from Thompson & Morgan)  I wonder if the colour is because of the type I planted ?

[richyrich7]

Hi Ash welcome to the forums 

Can you give us some background information on them plse, where have they been until planted, or sown direct, have you manured or composted the ground around them.

[mumofstig]

The white runners do seem a paler green than the red ones..i'm growing both so can compare but wouldn't say they are yellowish.