First and last runner beans

[laurieuk]

I thought a photo of my first picking of runner beans for this year including my last planting for this year would be of interest. I usually carry on picking well into September from a late planting


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[laurieuk]

[pigeonseed]

That would be nice to see.

Is this quite a late first picking for you, this year?

I seem to remember beans being ready earlier in previous years. I only got my first few French beans on Friday.

[betula]

They look lovely Beans.

Normally about the end of July when I first start picking.

[pigeonseed]

Oh I wonder if I've mis-remembered previous years. Or maybe when I was in London, that microclimate helped with early harvest. I think I've got to accept that things take longer here, and those sea 'breezes' don't help!

Whereabouts are you, Betula?

[betula]

Well moved now but was in the Birmingham area  :)

[pigeonseed]

I asked for the information, but not sure what to do now I know !!  ;D
I suppose further north will make a small difference, but then inland and sheltered. So... well, i have drawn no conclusions!  ;D ;D

[betula]

It has been a funny year this year,many people saying the beans are slow to set,if everything looks as though progressing OK don't worry.

[laurieuk]

Yes this year is later we had such a cold wet winter I think the soil took longer to warm up and even when plants were started in the greenhouse they did not get away as quick as normal.

[shirlton]

Picked our first mixed collection on Saturday.runner and climbing french.I don't want too many just yet as my freezers are full to the brim.

[manicscousers]

picked some enormous climbing french and purple podded yesterday, they were hiding at the bottom of the plants  ;D

[cornykev]

My runners are nowhere near ready, mind you I had some lovely dwarfs with my tea.            ;D ;D ;D

[plot51A]

Picked 2 runners today. Will be ages before there's more. But I have a mountain of french beans, both dwarf and climbing. Your beans look lovely laurieuk, envious coz runners are my favourite.