GROWING BEANS IN A COMPOST TRENCH

Runner and green beans benefit from soil improved with homemade compost that holds nutrients and water well. They are tender plants and should not be set outside until all risk of frost has passed in late spring, but you can sow seed in pots indoors earlier to get a head start. Beans will need a sturdy support for their long climbing stems, but once established they are otherwise very easy to grow.

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Runner beans growing on a large cane pyramid will produce a crop to feed a family for many weeks in summer.

TRENCH TREASURES

Compost trenches create the perfect growing conditions for bean plants. About a month before planting in late spring, dig a trench about 12in (30cm) deep, 24in (60cm) wide, and as long as you need to space the plants you plan to grow 10in (25cm) apart. Partially fill the hole with finished or almost finished compost and mix some more into the excavated soil before replacing it. Alternatively, in autumn or late winter, follow the steps for making a trench filled with kitchen and garden waste—this will rot down by late spring, ready for planting, and may also generate a little extra heat to boost the beans’ initial growth.

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Dig a compost trench for your bean plants in a sunny, sheltered spot.

CREATING A SUPPORT

Build a support for the beans over the trench. If you only have a small space you can make a circular trench and install a pyramid of tall, sturdy canes, tied at the top with strong twine. Where you plan to grow beans in rows, create a longer tent-shaped support with canes or pruned stems and secure them to another cane at the top, as shown. Sow one or two beans, or plant one young seedling, at the base of each cane when all risk of frost has passed.

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To grow two rows of beans, make a tent-shaped support using canes 8ft (2.4m) long, with one at the top for stability.

CARING FOR BEANS

As the beans start to grow, tie their young stems to their supports. They will then start to twine around the canes on their own and climb to the top unaided. Water plants well while they are establishing and especially when the flowers appear. In summer, you can also add a 2in (5cm) mulch of homemade compost around the plants after rain has fallen to help lock in the moisture. Pinch out the growing tips when the plants reach the tops of their supports.

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Tie young stems to their cane support and they will then wind around and climb up it without help as they grow.

HARVESTING YOUR CROPS

Beans are tender and tastiest when picked young, so check plants as soon as you see the pods start to develop and harvest them regularly. Picking the beans will also encourage the plants to produce more flowers and pods, helping to extend the harvest time. When the temperatures start to soar in summer, water the plants more frequently to prevent crop failure.

TOP TIP CUT OFF THE BOTTOMS AND TOPS OF LARGE PLASTIC DRINK BOTTLES AND POP THEM OVER EACH BEAN SEEDLING TO KEEP THE YOUNG PLANTS WARM AND HELP TO PROTECT THEM FROM SLUGS AND SNAILS.

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Picking your beans regularly encourages the plant to produce more crops.

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