A single wigwam of runner beans can keep a family in fresh veg for most of the summer.
Runner beans are a tall, climbing crop that rewards a sturdy support structure with a long summer harvest. They’re thirsty plants — consistent watering at the roots is what keeps pods coming rather than dropping.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | Sow in April | |||||||||||
| Plant | Plant in May | Plant in June | ||||||||||
| Harvest | Harvest in July | Harvest in August | Harvest in September |
Care details
- Sow In April
Sow indoors in deep pots or root trainers.
- Plant May – June
Plant out against supports once frost risk has passed.
- Harvest July – September
Pick pods every couple of days while young — they turn stringy fast.
Growing tips & common problems
- Pinch out the growing tip once plants reach the top of their support to encourage bushier growth lower down.
- Water at the roots, not overhead, once flowering starts — dry conditions cause flowers to drop without setting pods.
- Pick from the base of the plant upward; pods hide easily among the leaves.
Grows well with
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