Vegetable Growing 2019

I haven't grown runner beans for a couple of decades so decided to try my luck with them up here in the 'frozen north', having moved to the Highlands two and a half years ago. They started to sprout just over a week ago and have gone berserk, now eighteen inches in height. I've moved them into a cloche type greenhouse hoping it would slow them down but they really need planting out. My question being, is it too early? At this time of year in my area there is little chance of a frost now but I'm wondering what the minimum overnight temperature would be for them to survive. I could start more beans but without heat they take a good two to three weeks to germinate. Your help will be much appreciated please.

 

I wouldn't give on those Sheal, but I would sow more, what I do is sow the seeds on damp paper towels and plant them when they shoot in McDonalds/KFC cups as they are deep, pop a couple of holes in the bottom and you are good to go.

 

Thanks John. You are right, I can't lose anything by sowing more.

 

The warm and sunny long weekend, followed by 3 and a half days of rain, seems to have the approval of the first batch of potato pots that have suddenly grown considerably.



Also got the first few specks of green in the first pot of carrots in the greenhouse, but nowhere near enough for me to get giddy and take a photo yet.

 

Thanks @shiney . They've already topped those little green canes that can be bought in a pack. I think I'm growing triffids not beans. It would be quite unusual to get a frost here now but I'll try and hold them back for a while.

 

I always found with runners that they didn’t really crop that long, so for me there wasn’t much to be gained by sowing early. To that end I ended up sowing direct in the ground.
That said, I recognise that up north the season will be shorter.

 

@Sheal Many years ago I remember a gardener from near Nairn posting (on another forum) about problems with the short cropping season for runner beans, and pondering whether it was worthwhile growing them.They were bringing them on under cover (and providing stick supports) to extend the short season.

I would suggest using deep 'rose pots' [1] if keeping in pots for any extended period to avoid them becoming potbound. Another method of getting a head start is to save the roots (runners are perrenials), digging up and overwintering them indoors to plant out the following year.

[1] I use these for early sown runners, sweetcorn, sunflowers, etc. Deep Rose Pots 1,2,3,4,7 Litre Quality Plastic Plant Pot | eBay (also useful for deep potting on of tomatoes).

 

I found that within a few weeks, they started going tough/stringy. I understand they like their roots in the shade? Not something I was able to provide really. I imagine though a good mulch might have been the answer.

 

Thanks Shiney, Freddy and Scrungee. For me this year they are an experiment to see how well they do outside. They are my favourite vegetable and they're almost impossible to buy here, last year I couldn't find any at all which is why I'm having this trial with half a dozen plants.

Scrungee I'm living approximately 30 miles north of Nairn so the outcome is not looking good, but it's worth a try. I'll keep you all posted as to whether they survive and produce beans.

Oh dear Freddy! A good mulch? My sandy loam devours it very quickly.

 

Maybe a rubber/plastic based mulch? I think @Scrungee uses something along the lines? Just a thought.