Kitchen Garden Forum

I've been growing Black Magic runner beans - from the Heritage Seed Library for several years now and find that they are very early and free to set when other varieties are struggling due to the weather etc. I've had lots of meals off them so far this year, but have yet to pick the Painted Lady, although there are lots of small beans setting on them now.

So it is probably the wet dull weather which doesn't suit your variety as well as the naughty bees.

Hello Geoff,

Can I just say what a beautiful row of beans. I am sure you would be happier with beans on them too, but the row looks fantastic!

An update.

This year I am growing half a row of the Red Rum I had early trouble with last year (later they set well with a heavy crop) and half a row of the Red Flame that I used to grow. They are being visited by several types of Bumble Bee of various sizes and they are approaching both varieties from the front. The set is good and we are getting really good beans. The Red Flame are doing slightly better so we shall probably stick with those in case the bees relearn last year's dastardly deed. So the mystery remains as to why the problem arose.

Our runners are slow to set this year too and yet July was very wet and we had as much sun as last year.