[Fisherman]

What's everybody's view on the optimum runner bean spacing?

Assuming the weather warms up enough to plant them out

[mumofstig]

my canes are 9 or 10inches apart and I usually plant one per cane, and then in a few weeks time I sow another seed per cane as well. It seems to work 

[prakash_mib]

and then in a few weeks time I sow another seed per cane as well. It seems to work 

I never thought about that idea.

[JayG]

I would go for Mum's sort of planting density with a Munty frame or "X" structure, but possibly less with a conventional "inverted V" or wigwam type as the plants tend to become a bit congested where the supports meet at the top.

[Fruity]

my canes are 9 or 10inches apart and I usually plant one per cane, and then in a few weeks time I sow another seed per cane as well. It seems to work 

This is a great idea. I'm giving it a go with my patio tub grown beans. I already have a set of well established plants (started in April) and today I've added some more seeds to germinate nearby. Hopefully this will extend my harvest for another month.

[hamstergbert]

Last year I was still getting a few runners at the end of October, and they were from the same ones that had cropped all summer and autumn.  That would seem to suggest that the planting time may be less important than just having kept on top of the cropping, that is always picking them as slim and tender.

Mind you, unlike this year where my beans have germinated like men, er, legumes posessed, I do recall that I may have been a little later than usual last year due to really poor germination rates for the beans.

[Fruity]

I had no problem getting every bean picked but not every flower set properly. I read somewhere that misting the flowers can help them set better so I'll give that a go too.

[Fisherman]

9 or 10inches apart it is then on a "V" shaped frame therefore wider at the top to stop the plants getting congested. Canes will be 2.5 Mts. long so the plants can grow to a good height. Might try a few sweet peas planted among the beans for a bit of colour.

Growing White Lady as it has been exceptional for the last 2 seasons.

Plan on planting them out mid week as they forecast warmer weather at last

[Gandan57]

 


I dont like to see bare earth between the plants. Used around a kilo of seed for a 24 foot row.

[Yorkie]

That's impressive Gandan 

[RichardA]

I start mine in pots in greenhouse and plant out at 9 inch (225 mm) centres on 8 foot canes. Toward end of season I start another lot inside the polytunnel just to put the freezer under pressure.
Mine go out on Friday having been hardened off over the last two weeks
R

[Gandan57]

   

This pic shows a sneaky peek at next doors runners to the left of mine. His were planted out earlier.

[mumofstig]

This pic shows a sneaky peek at next doors runners to the left of mine. His were planted out earlier.
 

Nuff said   

[Endymion]

This pic shows a sneaky peek at next doors runners to the left of mine. His were planted out earlier.

It's interesting to see that you and the neighbour are growing your beans in different directions. Have you any idea if that might make a difference too? If so, which direction are yours growing, is it north/south or east/west?

And yours look as if they've been protected by the broad beans, maybe it kept them a bit warmer?

[mrsparkle]

my canes are 9 or 10inches apart and I usually plant one per cane, and then in a few weeks time I sow another seed per cane as well. It seems to work 

I've planted two beans at the same time.  Have you ever tried this?  I did is as an experiment but only sowed the other day so if you advise against I will pull one of the seeds out.