Hi All,
     My question is, can Runner Beans be grown in the same position for more than one season.
I have had conflicting advice on this, and not wanting to suffer the the evils of diseased soil I would appreciate a definitive answer on this subject.
I only grow veg to keep within the rules of our association as my primary reason for having a plot is to grow medicinal herbs / fruit for personal use.
                               PREMTAL :-\
I believe. although stand to be corrected, that some advocate the use of a permanent bean trench, that is heavily enriched with anything that is moisture retentive IE newspaper, kitchen waste, manure etc.
This is not then part of the normal rotation.
I think! ;D
My neighbour's been growing them in the same spot for many years without problems.
I have a bean trench that I fill up with kitchen waste over the winter and 8 years on, no probs...............yet! ;D
Like those before me have said, grow them in the same place. Enrich the soil - I did a trench filled with leaves, newspaper, old wool jumpers, veggie peelings, annual weeds etc, back filled, let it settle over the winter, then heyho, bean position! Jack has been growing his beans in more or less the same spot for some 30 years, and he throws masses away as he can't eat them quick enough!
I am aware that there are benefits from grwoing in a trench but I am still rotating mine and it is a clean crop so it is a bit like leaving the ground fallow disease wise, and it nitrogonises the soil where I will be planting my brassicas the following year.
Quotehe throws masses away as he can't eat them quick enough
Maybe he shouldn't grow so many ;D
i heard that as runner beans don't have any actual diseases in this country but i am probably wrong.
Certainly runner beans can be grown on the same spot year after year.
A dedicated bean trench is without doubt the best way to grow runner beans. The propensity of all legumes to extract nitrogen from the atmosphere and store it in their roots results in the trench (and the produce) improving year by year.
Legless is quite correct. In this country runner beans are virtually disease free. The only disease of note is Halo Blight, which is uncommon and is generally due to the use of damaged seed.
Hi All,
It would seem then that the dedicated trench is the way to proceed, this suits me perfectly as my main reason for having an allotment is to grow medicinal herbs and fruit.
I only grow annual crops to stay within the rules of our association, and as most of my herbs have a 3 or 4 year life cycle before harvesting I can now remove Runner Beans from the rotation scenario.
My thanks to all who replied to this question :)
PREMTAL
Quote from: PREMTAL on June 27, 2005, 02:39:06
.......I only grow annual crops to stay within the rules of our association ........                            PREMTAL
Sorry Premtal,
Runner Beans are actually perennial - I would tender your resignation immediately!! ;)
Phil
Yes but only in their native South America where they do not get out bl**dy frosts.
Hi Phil,
Given that I don't have a South American allotment
I think I will pass on the resignation aspect. ::)
Point taken though there are many plants that we grow as annuals that are actually perennial in their country of origin. ;)
PREMTAL
Apparently you can dig them up and overwinter them in damp peat.
To get the same fun each spring does that mean you also have to collect some slugs to overwinter with them?? ;D
this is my first attempt at runner beans this year i am growing mine in a trough and hoops at the sides so far so good i am putting more seeds in at wked