Runner Bean spacing

[tim]

I asked, somewhere, about this. Can't find it now??

[tim]

[sarah]

i usually do mine about a foot apart.

[Suzanne]

Same here.

[PurpleHeather]

They like to be quite near each other and become competitive.

The one foot or twelve inches is the male version. Females know this to be about 7 to 8 inches.

[betula]

You can get away with 9ins.

I did last year and had my best crop ever.

It could have been the excessive rain we had last season.

I sow two beans per station 2 different varieties.

I had to protect against slugs and I was lucky as a late frost caught them

but they survived and I was picking all season.

I like to do two different varieties as I like the red and white flower effect probally a girl thing.

[allaboutliverpool]

I always have too many no matter what I do.

Last year was 91 Kg from 30 canes 9 inches apart. They were in rows along the boundary, rather than wigwams.

see:-

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_Beans_Runner.html

[Chris Graham]

Yeah I read that its around 6 inches apart, thats why I have sown 20 seeds, only need 15 but just in case.

[Plot69]

like to do two different varieties as I like the red and white flower effect probally a girl thing.

Not necessarily. I've planted loads of onions, three 17'x5' beds full. I've planted them 6" apart alternating 1 red, 1 white leaving enough space between rows for my carrots. They may only be vegetables but who say's they shouldn't look nice while they're growing?

[betula]

That is a great idea I am going to copy you.Mine are about to go in. ;D

[Plot69]

That is a great idea I am going to copy you.Mine are about to go in. ;D

And not only onions. I'm going to alternate my green and purple french climbing beans as well.

[tim]

Reason I asked, thinking of the usual double row,  was because the packets variously say 60X30cm or 45X25cm .

Why - if no one follows their advice?

[Barnowl]

My veggie bible says one plant per cane every 6" but you can double plant although each plant will be less productive, but I do 9" and double plant each cane when planting the first side. I later plant the second side (south facing because my bed runs east-west due to poor planning) with just one plant per cane.

No idea if this is the best way for east west beds.