Sow – April to June

Plant out – May to July

Harvest - July to September

Where to Sow
Early sowings can be made under glass at a temperature of 16 C, sow 2-3 seeds per 8cm (3in) pot filled with seed sowing compost. Outside sowings can be made from May onwards into the growing site 5cm (2in) deep. Sow 2-3 seeds every 20-30cm(8-12in) apart with rows spaced 60cm (24in) apart.                                                                 

What to do next
Seedlings sown under glass should be gradually hardened off before plant-ing outside in late May to the above spacing, once all risk of frost has past. Place a support cane at each planting station. Alternatively, circular plantings can be made with canes joined at the centre to form a wigwam. For optimum crop, place canes 30-45cm (12-18") apart with 3 beans planted per cane. Water regularly during dry weather.

Handy Tip
Runner beans are hungry plants; the ground should be well prepared and ma-nured the previous autumn.