Runner beans Growing Guide
Runner beans are an easy-to-grow, highly productive crop that yields abundant long green pods from mid-summer to early autumn. Climbing varieties offer vertical interest with red, pink, white, or bi-coloured flowers, suitable for veg plots, large containers, or borders. Dwarf varieties are compact and ideal for smaller spaces and containers. They require sun, rich soil, and plenty of water, thriving particularly well in cool, wet summers. Regular harvesting of young, tender pods encourages continuous production.
This guidance applies to the crop in general. Individual varieties and local conditions can differ.
Planting information
For an early crop or in colder locations, sow seeds indoors from mid-April to May. Use small pots or deep modules filled with moist peat-free multi-purpose compost. Sow one bean per pot, 5cm deep, and water well. Keep in a warm, bright place above 12°C. Young plants can be moved outdoors once all risk of frost has passed (late May/early June). For outdoor sowing, wait until all risk of frost has passed and the soil reaches 12°C (mid-May in south UK, early June in north). Sow seeds in the ground or containers. In the ground, sow individually 5cm deep, placing two at the base of each bamboo cane, then thin to one seedling per cane. For dwarf varieties, sow 5cm deep, allowing 30cm between plants and 50cm between rows. For climbing varieties in large containers (75cm wide, 45cm deep), sow seeds 5cm deep and 15cm apart, using a wigwam support. Plant out runner beans grown indoors or bought as young plants from late May or early June, after hardening them off and ensuring no risk of frost. Prepare the soil by weeding and incorporating garden compost or well-rotted manure, and set up supports beforehand. Plant one runner bean at the base of each bamboo cane and water well, loosely tying stems to the canes to initiate climbing. For dwarf runner beans, space plants 30cm apart. Consider planting dwarf beans through a plastic-free weed-suppressing membrane to reduce weeding and protect pods. Protect all newly planted beans from slugs and snails. For container planting, use peat-free multi-purpose or loam-based compost. Containers should be at least 75cm wide and 45cm deep for climbing varieties, and 30-45cm wide for dwarf beans.
Harvesting information
Runner beans typically start cropping around mid-summer and continue for eight weeks or more with regular harvesting. Pick pods when they are young, tender, and stringless, usually about 20–25cm long. They should snap easily, and the beans inside should be small and pale. Harvest regularly, ideally every two to three days, to prevent pods from maturing, which would cause the plant to stop flowering and cease producing new pods. After harvesting is complete, cut the plants down to the base and compost them, but leave the roots in the ground as legumes fix nitrogen, enriching the soil.