Runner Beans???

**OllieMartin** · 16-05-2010, 07:18 PM

If they look anything like this:

Then yes.
This one is totally dead, but a few of mine have yellow leaves and don't look like they're going to make it.

**Two_Sheds** · 16-05-2010, 07:20 PM

It's still early to be putting runner beans out. You also need to make sure you harden them off for 1-2 weeks before they go outside permanently

**Wren** · 16-05-2010, 07:21 PM

I am just a few miles away from you and we have not had any frost ( i am in a frosty hollow in the bottom of a valley too) so it can't be that. Did you harden them off or just pop them straight out ? I would feed them a nitrogoen feed and make sure you don't over water them ok. We have warm nights ahead so they should pick up from now.

**Flummery** · 16-05-2010, 07:44 PM

I'm sure it is the cold. It's been very cold - they don't need to be hit by a negative temperature to suffer from the cold and yellow leaves are a give-away. I never put french (or runners when I grew them) out till June. Even a cold wind will chill them into yellowness.

PS - still plenty of time to sow more.

**solway cropper** · 16-05-2010, 09:52 PM

I've been putting mine out during the day and bringing them back into the greenhouse at night. Like Flum I don't put them into their final position till end of May/early June. get some more sown as a backup if the first lot don't recover.

**Two_Sheds** · 17-05-2010, 06:18 AM

Originally posted by Wren View Post

we have not had any frost... so it can't be that.

As Flum says, it's too cold for them; even if it isn't frosty. They're from South America, and need a minimum soil temp of 10c.
Here's a good article

**Florence Fennel** · 17-05-2010, 06:25 AM

It is the cold that's got to them, mine were the same when I looked yesterday. For the first time I grew them in modules in the blowaway and then transplanted them last week to the wigwam and it was too early. I sowed some bean seed straight into the ground yesterday and I'm kicking myself because this is what I usually do! Ollie have you been in my garden? That could be a photograph of my beans!

**poly** · 17-05-2010, 06:39 AM

Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post

Here's a good article

Good link thanks.

**womble** · 17-05-2010, 07:12 AM

Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post

As Flum says, it's too cold for them; even if it isn't frosty. They're from South America, and need a minimum soil temp of 10c.
Here's a good article

They need a minimum soil temp of 10c to germinate, not survive.
As long as the risk of frost is gone, saying that I've had mine out for a couple of days and they look fine atm, had frosts both nights too, but I've just fleeced them up.

**Sanjo** · 17-05-2010, 07:40 AM

Mine have been out for a few weeks after hardening off for a week. Went into soil that had been warmed with membrane for months. I know it was early but I needed the room. Agree with others that it probably is too early (depending on where you live of course) however, I wrapped fleece in a big loop all round the length of 20 odd plants. I then looped them up out of the way during the day and dropped it at night during the frosty spells. So far, so good. I haven't lost any and they are already climbing. I haven't removed the fleece completely yet though as I feel the current weather is too unpredictable. Maybe by June I'll feel more confident.

**Parsleythelion** · 17-05-2010, 11:58 AM

Panic!!!!

I am sat here at work in the City, miles away from my runner beans which I impetuously planted out yesterday.....I should always consult the Veg Gurus on here before I even open my back door!

My beans are in the ground and I checked them this moring (for slug damage - none "phew") and they seemed ok but I get the dreaded feeling I have put them out too early. I have noticed a Hestia I planted in a pot which has been outside for a week or so is looks very much like OllieMartin's but a bit yellower!!

Oh well, green fingers crossed......this is the ups and downs of gardening. It's all a learning curve :-(

I think I'll plant some more beans in pots in my conservatory as back up......

**HeyWayne** · 17-05-2010, 12:07 PM

Mine (White Apache) haven't even germinised yet.

**teakdesk** · 17-05-2010, 12:16 PM

I don't want to start a "my Dad's bigger than your Dad" argument but planting date does depend on the conditions you have in your garden/plot.

I have a line of potatoes in pots across my garden (all planted at the same time) and those in my windy area are smaller and show signs of frost damage whilst those in the more protected area are thriving.

I planted out my runners on Saturday in the protected area - I usually do this at the start of May but was late this year.

However, I have done trials in my garden and I know that planting at the start of May only gives me flowers one week earlier than those I plant at the start of June. In other words I plant 4 weeks early and only get one week bonus.

Why do I do it? It is because I have 99% of the world's slug population living in my garden and they love my runners. I know I will need to replace plants over the next few weeks and have just sown more seed in boxes that will be ready when I need them.

Conclusion: if you have a sheltered area then planting during May can be OK and can give an advantage but have a backup plan!!

**armthorpe** · 17-05-2010, 03:06 PM

Always plant a dozen out middle of April (Enorma) and cover over if forecast says frost.

Plant rest out middle of May. Start picking first week in July same every year.
Then again I do live by the sea in North Devon.

Like said in a previous post by July the early planted ones are only about a week ahead of the ones planted a month later.

Will be interesting to see if the bad cold spell this year makes any difference, roll on July, Hummm yummy yummmy yummy.

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