Beans space

[Containergardener]

How much space do you have for various bean growing and how many plants do you get in?
May have planned too many

[Peanut]

I'm not one to take advice from on this as I cram stuff in.
My CFB grow up 3 arches which are about a foot wide plus a gap of about 4 inches max between them and I grow about 8 or 9 plants on each side. I guess I average around 6-8 inches between plants and the same for dwarf fb and beans for drying.

I always get lots of beans, whether I'd get more if I gave them more space I don't know or care

[Penellype]

My main issue with beans is not so much planting distance as support. I make a tripod from 3 strong canes set about 18 inches apart. In the past I have easily grown 2 or 3 strong plants up each cane, but if I grow more than 1 for runners and 1-2 for Frenchies I find the structure becomes too heavy and will blow over in any strong wind.

[JoaoLeaftide]

I cram mine in too honestly. Runners go about 6 inches apart up a wigwam and they seem fine with it, the competition just makes them climb faster. Dwarf french beans I give a bit more room, maybe 9 inches, because they bush out sideways. You can always thin later if it looks too crowded but in my experience beans are pretty forgiving.

[Sweet savory]

I grow up canes in traditional line. 2 beans to each cane about 1’ apart for both CFB and runners. I find with wigwams they get in a tangle at the top. DFBs going in wherever I have a bit of room that’s sunny so will end up about 6” apart

[Penellype]

I grow up canes in traditional line. 2 beans to each cane about 1’ apart for both CFB and runners. I find with wigwams they get in a tangle at the top. DFBs going in wherever I have a bit of room that’s sunny so will end up about 6” apart

They do indeed get in a tangle at the top. There is only me to feed and beans are not my absolute favourite, so a line of canes is too many, hence the wigwam.

[Andraste]

I only need enough for me & OH with some for the freezer plus a small surplus so my numbers are likely lower than many. We also only have a 1/2 plot so space is limited.

Broadies I plant 20cm apart in a double row. I'm going for 30 plants this year.

CFBs about 25cm apart with double that between each side of an A-frame - never seem to do as well on a wigwam for me. 16 plants this time.

Dwarf FBs about 20cm apart. Not growing this year - too hard on the back & not as productive as climbers.

Never grown runners. Lucky enough to get given surplus from others every year (& although I like them, I wouldn't eat enough to grow my own).

To avoid tangled at the top for climbers - & because I'm short - try crossing the canes lower down. I find they hang nicely for picking from the tops then.

[Vince G]

I was lucky enough to inherit a nice scaffold pole set up on my plot. It basically looks like a large football goal with another upright in the middle. It's about 8 feet high and 16 feet wide.

I get 10 canes in each half and grow 2 or 3 beans up each one.

One half is for beans for eating fresh, so runners and this year a purple CFB. The other half is for beans for drying. This year, Lima O Del Papa, Tolosa beans, and good old Borlotti.

[Andraste]

Is that an overhang set-up Vince G ? I've always been intrigued by those

[Containergardener]

Thank you all. I shall cram them in and as I grow at home I think i will grow some in my flower beds too for height difference.

[Andraste]

That sounds like a lovely idea

[Vince G]

Is that an overhang set-up Vince G ? I've always been intrigued by those

No it's just a one dimensional goal shaped affair Andraste. One of my allotment neighbours has one of the overhanging types, his beans reach the top of their pole then scramble across some horizontal netting for about another 3 feet. I tend to nip the tops off mine when they reach the top of the pole and flop over sufficiently for me to be able to reach up and pinch them out. Note sure what effect that has really but if I didn't they'd grow on for ever I feel.

I put the canes in today and managed to get 13 in each half (roughly 8 inches apart). At 5ft4 I have to employ the servies of Mrs Vince to tie them in to the crossbar. She's just shy of 6ft, so comes in very handy for such tasks, although I do have to lift her at one end of the row. (Good job she's very slim too and just under 9st haha).