Hi, I am about to take the runner bean plants I have raised to the allotment, but when I moved allotments from another area threw away all the old sticks as they had seen better days, I have looked at canes, but was wondering about roofing lathes, does anyone else use these and if so is there a good supplier.
I think you'll find canes are much cheaper, especially if you buy them in bulk from somewhere like Kays
www.kaysdiscountgarden.co.uk
They have them for 12.95 for 6ft, 14.00 for 7ft, or 16.40 for 8ft, all in bundles of 50, or about half as much again for bundles of 100. Not sure if you can get them cheaper elsewhere. I get mine from them.
If you really want roofing battens, Wickes do them in bundles of 8, tanalised. I would guess the price would be around 5.00 per bundle.(2.4mtrs(8ft) are 5.65 for kiln dried but no price in my catalogue for the ordinary ones).
The roofing lathes are much better for your runner beans.
Yes they are more expensive but the tanalised ones will last for much longer than the canes.
My lottie neighbours have used these and they look lovely and sturdy, so maybe if you can go for it. Think they got theirs from Wickes.
Do the beans climb up these lathes or are you using them at the ends only?
The beans climb up the lathes.