Runner beans are a superb summer crop for growing in gardens large or small and will grow well in large patio troughs or tubs. Aim for an abundant crop so that you can freeze some young tender pods for winter eating.

The beans were brought to Britain from their native South America early in the 17th century and were grown here for many years as ornamental wall-climbing plants before anyone realised just how good they are to eat.

A well-grown row of runners with lush green leaves and bright scarlet flowers makes a most attractive screen to hide polytunnel, compost heap, or other eyesore and although usually grown in the vegetable plot plants can look very attractive trained up a wigwam-style frame in a flower border.

Other varieties have red and white bi-colour, pink, or white blooms

PREPARING THE SITE

A sunny open site with a good depth of soil is best for runner beans. They are hungry feeders and I like to add plenty of rotted organic matter when preparing their site.

Making a runner bean trench is good healthy exercise. It should be at least 30cm (12in) deep and twice this width. Spread a generous amount of rotted manure into the bottom of the trench and dig into the subsoil.

Replace the topsoil, put in your supports and the trench is ready for sowing or planting. You can safely grow the beans in one place for several years, but moving them around and making a new trench each time gradually deepens and greatly improves the soil in your vegetable plot

RAISING YOUR PLANTS

Runner beans are frost tender and cannot safely be sown in the open until mid-May. For the early crop sow under cloches, or raise seedlings in small pots under cover ( or buy ) to plant outside in late May. I sow in the greenhouse in April and plant out in early May under cloches. To give the longest possible picking season sow again in the open in late May and mid to late June.

SUPPORTS

The best support for runner beans growing in the open garden is the traditional double row of 2.4m (8ft) high canes, or bean poles, inserted at an angle about 45cm (18in) apart, criss-crossed at about shoulder height and tied there to a horizontal cane. In each row poles should be about 25-30cm (10-12in) apart. Late summer gales can wreak havoc with tall rows of beans and so for added security I put in a stout stake at either end of each row and at about 1.8 m (6ft) intervals in a long row Another way of supporting is to put in sturdy tall stakes with wires attached at 30 cm (12in) and 1.8m (6ft) above ground and plastic pea and bean netting, or a row of strings, tied firmly to top and bottom wires. Netting or string needs renewing annually, but you can grow the crop in the same place for several years, providing you feed the ground generously. Wigwam support, or groups of canes tied near the top to form a wigwam look decorative, especially for runner beans growing in a flower border or tub, but reduce the crop because higher plant growth is restricted

AFTERCARE

Throughout the growing season, runner beans respond well to copious watering. A mulch of lawn mowings laid along either side of the row when soil is moist from rain or watering helps conserve moisture and makes a path to walk on when gathering the crop.Regular liquid feeding is helpful using seaweed extract, liquid from a wormery, or other home-made organic brew.Pinch out the growing tips when plants reach top of their supports to encourage bushy growth and a heavier crop. For a bumper harvest keep soil around the roots moist in dry hot weather, grow nearby borage and other flowers that attract bees and other pollinating insects and gather beans every two or three days while young and tender to encourage more to develop. Sparrows sometimes peck off red flowers and many find that white flowered varieties such as White Apollo and White Lady give a heavier crop

ON THE PATIO

Runner beans are a popular patio crop. A dwarf variety such as Hestia is easy and decorative, but for a good harvest go for tall plants and a deep container to give maximum root space. This could be a half barrel with a wigwam of canes for supporting the plants, or a 97.5 cm (38in) long, 51cm (20in) wide and 25cm (10in) high mini raised bed that can be purchased complete with crop support frame. For economy construct your own and make the bed at least 50% deeper for added root space. Choose an open sunny position sheltered from strong winds and start with plants rather than seed. To give a long harvest plant up one container in May and another in June; be generous with water and liquid feed regularly. For added effect place a few containers of colourful summer flowers around the base of the bean container.