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We've been trying (and failing) to have much success with climbing pole beans here near Edinburgh for a number of years, and despite trying several varieties have really struggled to get any that swell up and/or dry before the Autumn hits and the frosts start.
We've had no problems with runner beans, and have managed to get dried beans from Czar and Scarlet runner before now (and perhaps should just stick to those!) but we're really keen to get some dry beans for our winter store cupboards!
We've tried a few varieties - Trail of Tears, Lazy Housewife (subsequently discovered it's a late variety!) Cosse Violette (not really a drying bean) and Borlotti, but no luck. We did OK with turtle bush beans one year, but we're a bit limited on space, so climbing varieties would be useful.
So - what varieties do people manage to grow in more Northern climes, with short, cool, wet summers? I've seen varieties advertised in the US and Canada for places like Nova Scotia and Maine, which have similar seasons - but can't find those varieties in the UK.
We've had no problems with runner beans, and have managed to get dried beans from Czar and Scarlet runner before now (and perhaps should just stick to those!) but we're really keen to get some dry beans for our winter store cupboards!
We've tried a few varieties - Trail of Tears, Lazy Housewife (subsequently discovered it's a late variety!) Cosse Violette (not really a drying bean) and Borlotti, but no luck. We did OK with turtle bush beans one year, but we're a bit limited on space, so climbing varieties would be useful.
So - what varieties do people manage to grow in more Northern climes, with short, cool, wet summers? I've seen varieties advertised in the US and Canada for places like Nova Scotia and Maine, which have similar seasons - but can't find those varieties in the UK.
This summer it's been full of tomatoes, chillies, aubergines and sweetcorn - I guess next year we'll either not grow (as much) corn, or we could try a 3 sisters aproach and use them as bean poles?
)
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