Cheap Bean Supports. And Trench Question.

[baggieboy]

Hi there Going down allotment tomorrow and was gonna dig the trench for our beans. Was gonna put compost mannure and shredded paper in the trench and soak it?? ...Is this o.k?

And another question Seeing as there are some fab cheap ideas on here , what is the cheapest but sturdy way of making a frame for the beans?

Hope i make sense and any other preparing for bean advice you could give would be most welcome.

thanks

[baggieboy]

[nenerover]

Hi Baggieboy,
                      what I do is dig a trench as soon as I possibly can and as I take the leaves of my brassicas I put them in the trench, they soon rot down and its free.
    I also only use bamboo canes as these are the easyest to move about as I use the crop rotation system.
regards Peter

[euronerd]

I'm doing the same with my bean trenches. Haven't done it before so I can't report on it's success or otherwise. I use canes too, for the same reason as nenerover, 8' or 10' depending on the variety, and use bits of drainpipe as shown in the link below, to erect them. Cheap (or free) because they look as if they'll last for years.

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,91/topic,18238.msg189806#msg189806

Geoff.

[baggieboy]

thanks fot the advice.....and  sorry for not using the search  :-\

think the pipe idea looks good

[Barnowl]

The Rolls Royce approach.  Wish I could remember who on this forum built this, but I copied the picture - one day.....

[sweet-pea]

I'd love to find the time to build a structure like that.  Last year the frame I built started to lean and gradually deteriorated!  I need to think of a better way of constructing it this year, or maybe I'll do wigwams again.

SP

[legendaryone]

This year i am going to use some arches i picked up at Wilko's at thier end of season sale last year, i will string some bamboo canes between them and hopefully they should last a few years. Being tall arches i will be able to walk under them to pick the beans aswell :)

[Curryandchips]

I make wigwams for my beans out of four canes. I wrap and tie the 4 canes together whilst sat on my bench. I could use anywhere up to 100 canes (25 wigwams). I then position them and push one cane in a few inches, then the next etc, working round until the wigwam is secure.

No awkward bending, reaching or leaning on dodgy supports, and the frames can be easily dismantled to use on a different part of the garden next year.

Derek :)

[norfolklass]

I also only use bamboo canes as these are the easyest to move about as I use the crop rotation system.

I read somewhere that you don't have to include runner beans in your crop rotation and that they can be grown in the same spot year after year. is that true? and do other beans still need to rotate? just wondering if I can make a more permanent structure for runner beans that doesn't have to be dismantled and moved every year.

[LauraB]

I also only use bamboo canes as these are the easyest to move about as I use the crop rotation system.

I read somewhere that you don't have to include runner beans in your crop rotation and that they can be grown in the same spot year after year. is that true? and do other beans still need to rotate? just wondering if I can make a more permanent structure for runner beans that doesn't have to be dismantled and moved every year.

I think this is probably true. Well over half of the allotment holders on my site have permanent runner bean structures and grow in the same spot every year.

[manicscousers]

wigwams, 8 to 12 plants, we get enough beans for us and everyone else  ;D

[Barnowl]

Here's our permanent bed - still waiting for the trenches to be dug.

Planning to convert to a tunnel this year if I have the time.

[Barnowl]

forgot the pic  ???

[Tee Gee]

What I used was my kids garden swing.

To explain; when my kids outgrew their swing rather than dump it  I removed the cross piece at the top and replaced it with a 'removable' cross piece 8ft long.

So now I have two 'A' frames at either end which I made to swivel so that the fold flat for storage.

I then tie either canes or wires to the cross piece to grow my Runner beans and climbing French beans up one side, and my sweet peas on the other.

I find this better than a 'fixed' system because then my beans & sweet peas can fit in with the rest of my crop rotation.

[Argiebargie]

I'm using canes this year, held and supported using tennis balls.

My local t3sco is selling 6 balls for £1, so it's cheap and quick!

I use a sharp wood drill to make a few holes, then the canes slip in quite nicely!

[cornykev]

Mines a permanant structure as they don't need to be rotated. I dug half the trench last week put in veggie peelings, tea bags and paper then covered with horse muck/soil, will do the other half tomorrow weather permitting. ??? ;D ;D ;D

[SMP1704]

Is it OK to put feathers in the trench?  I washed a pillow today and the cotton cover exploded in the machine :o :o

So now have a sackful of feathers.........