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  • Beans in pots

    I've just been given several varieties of beans (some dwarf, some climbing). I won't have much room in the beds this year. Would I be able to grow them in Morrisons flower buckets?
    The problem with rounded personalities is they don't tesselate.

  • #2
    Yes, I can't see why not. As long as you give them something to climb up and you don't over crowd them I can't see there being a problem. Make sure you put them somewhere they won't blow over if it gets windy. They can get a little top heavy.

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    • #3
      Sylvan, if you're at the north end of the north pennines I guess you'll have some fierce winds so flower buckets might not be suitable for climbing beans. They have quite a narrow base and will easily blow over. I've grown climbing beans in cattle-lick tubs which are about 18 inches across and they still get damaged unless I move them to shelter if strong winds are forecast. Dwarf beans will not be a problem and I grow most of mine in containers with good results.

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      • #4
        Hi there

        I've been growing beans in those morrisons pots for years. Always get a good crop, also mangetout. They do need to be somewhere sheltered ish, and you need to make sure the compost is good quality I added that fishy, bloody, bony powder too to make sure they got enough nutrients. I also feed them with a seaweed type potion later on. I just made drainage holes in the pot, added the compost and made a wigwam type thing in the pot, not full length canes, because they make it un stable and far more likely to topple over. I then sowed 2 beans per cane. They did really well, we had about 6 pots, they kept us going all bean season and I dotted them around the garden (very small) they looked lovely and added height to my planting which was all pretty low level. I even made some for friends as presents, cheap and quirky they all loved them and had good results

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        • #5
          Sylvan,

          Most certainly I grow all my runners in Morrisons pots alternate White Lady & Red Rum, SWMBO likes the flower mix.

          A few tips, 1 plant per pot in a sheltered spot use 8ft cane 1 per pot. If possible against a wall or other structure, put 3 pots in a triangle shape and tie 3 canes together at top to form wigwam and tie this to the structure to prevent damage on windy days.

          As the plants grow I feed with Miracle Grow at twice the recommended rate, then switch to tomato food when the beans appear. Leave 1 1/2" to 2" between the top of the compost and the top of the pot so that when the plants are mature you can flood them with feed or water. Never let the compost dry out.

          I harvested just on 100lbs from 16 plants last year. SWMBO freezes them and after some trial and effort over the years as come up with away of doing it that allows me to eat beans all year round. Not as good as fresh but very very close, if you think of freezing let me know and I will ask her for her method otherwise they go like mushy peas.

          Colin.
          Potty by name Potty by nature.

          By appointment of VeggieChicken Member of the Nutters club.


          We hang petty thieves and appoint great ones to public office.

          Aesop 620BC-560BC

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          • #6
            Beans do well in most deep containers - in many seasons I have used a cardboard box about 18" x 24" x 12" deep lined with a large bin bag.

            A cane fitted in each corner, tied at the top, form an ideal wigwam for support.

            I sow my beans in pots in the greenhouse to let them get a good size before going out to face the slugs. I generally make the box up when I have too many "spares" and can't face throwing them away.

            I'll plant them about 4 inches apart around the box with a few in the centre if needed to use them all.


            The box lasts through the season but I wouldn't want to move it !!



            .
            Last edited by teakdesk; 16-02-2011, 11:05 PM.
            The proof of the growing is in the eating.
            Leave Rotten Fruit.
            Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potasium - potash.
            Autant de têtes, autant d'avis!!!!!
            Il n'est si méchant pot qui ne trouve son couvercle.

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            • #7
              I've grown dwarf french beans in a flower bucket on the windowsill before. I sowed them in February and we were eating them about May/June. Must try this again!
              Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

              www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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              • #8
                Many thanks to all of you.

                I grew peas in flower buckets a couple of years ago and found the single buckets fell over if we so much as looked at them, but the ones that were all crowded together in a block were unable to fall. The only trouble with being crowded together was that it made them hard to water and pick (I've only got little arms!).

                That idea of linking three buckets together sounds good.
                I would be very grateful for SWMBO's method of freezing them please Colin.

                I think I'll join you in trying the dwarf beans on the windowsill Flummery. How many do you plant to a bucket?
                The problem with rounded personalities is they don't tesselate.

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                • #9
                  Hi,

                  I brought some large bags for the greenhouse. They’re like portable raised beds with handles and when not in use can be stored flat. Bit like longer versions of the sacks sold for potatoes.

                  Here's the link;
                  http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/fou...-3-id4289.html
                  Sometimes you just have to scratch that itch and get dirt under your finger nails.

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                  • #10
                    Ooh, that's a thought - I've got some of those potato growing bags.
                    Thanks Dead Dogs. (I'll probably want to pick your brains about gardening in Caithness at some point - we're hoping to move up there.)
                    The problem with rounded personalities is they don't tesselate.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Sylvan View Post
                      That idea of linking three buckets together sounds good.
                      I would be very grateful for SWMBO's method of freezing them please Colin.
                      me to, pretty please!

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                      • #12
                        SWMBO method,

                        Preperation Top, Tail, remove any stringy bits (as if with my beans) and slice ready for cooking.

                        Nothing else at this stage dry and pop in freezer bags and straight into the freezer.

                        When needed bang bag to separate beans remove portion rinse under cold tap and cook as normal.

                        SWMBO used to blanch the beans at stage one but now does not do so.

                        Colin
                        Potty by name Potty by nature.

                        By appointment of VeggieChicken Member of the Nutters club.


                        We hang petty thieves and appoint great ones to public office.

                        Aesop 620BC-560BC

                        sigpic

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Thanks Colin.

                          (I'm intrigued. What does SWMBO stand for?)
                          The problem with rounded personalities is they don't tesselate.

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                          • #14
                            Couple of other methods I use for growing beans in Morrison's pots.

                            If you have a fence with a trellis use short canes and then weave through the trellis.

                            Or again against a fence use 7ft canes tied to the fence then a lenght of 1/4" poly rope from the top of the cane to another support of equal height. Last year this gave me plants with an equivalent height of some 12ft. Plus the beans on the rope hang down in free space giving lovely straight beans.

                            Colin
                            Potty by name Potty by nature.

                            By appointment of VeggieChicken Member of the Nutters club.


                            We hang petty thieves and appoint great ones to public office.

                            Aesop 620BC-560BC

                            sigpic

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED. Leo Mc something or other TV barrister.

                              Colin
                              Potty by name Potty by nature.

                              By appointment of VeggieChicken Member of the Nutters club.


                              We hang petty thieves and appoint great ones to public office.

                              Aesop 620BC-560BC

                              sigpic

                              Comment

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