Runner beans, like peas, are far tastier when they are grown in the garden, compared to those you buy in the shops.
They are one of the easiest vegetables to grow and normally produce countless crops. They tend to thrive best in greenhouses needing warm conditions to germinate. However successful growth is granted outdoors as long as the soil is not heavy or overly wet, the runner beans will be ready for harvesting when the pods are less than full length, this is usually at about 15-20cm (6-8 inches) long.
Try growing varieties ‘Scarlet Emperor’ or ‘Hestia’, which are perfect for growing in a container on the patio if you don’t have the room for a large veg patch.
Follow our guidelines below for successful sowing.
