Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi all,

I'm wanting to grow runner beans in containers against a south facing wall. I have about 6 feet of horizontal space available. I have some plastic troughs about 2 feet long and about 8 inches deep. Would these be suitable with 2 plants per trough or will they be not deep enough ?
All replies appreciated,

Rhubarb Stick

Dear Rhubarb Stick, i think if i was going to be putting them into containers, i would be looking at ones that are nearer to 18'' deep.
I don't think that 8'' will allow for enough root growth.

But i must add, i have never grown them in pots before.

I once tried growing runner beans in a container that was about 8ins deep, but the canes would not stay firm. So after a couple of weeks i transplanted them into the ground. So I think OH is right, you would definately need a deeper container.

Hi Rhubarb Stick,
A friend of mine grows Hestia, the dwarf runner bean, in pots that are internal dia 14"x11"deep with 4 plants to the pot and she has masses of good quality beans every season. These stand on a patio wall that is 4' tall due to the local terrain. The pots are placed on turntables so that all she has to do is stand in the one place and turn the pot for picking.
Now I appreciate that you may not have the wall but could you accommodate pots of that size on your bed because you could get poles to stay where you want them and plant, say, 3 or 4 beans to the pot. The pots are 15" rim to rim so you could get 4 side by side with 12 - 16 bean plant which would give quite a few delicious beans.
JB.

Hi Rhubarb Stick,

I grow my beans in some troughs a similar size to the ones you mention. The main reason i do this is for the same reason as Johnboy's friend as i only have one place in my garden to grow beans so need to be able to change the soil each year. I couldn't answer about the canes as i grow the beans against a trellised fence but i still get plenty of beans however you do need to ensure that they get plenty of water and food into them as they dry out very quickly.

I've found that 2 or 3 spoonfuls of water retaining gel in the compost at the bottom of the trough before the main compost helps. I also don't feed them too much to start with to grow them hard and then ensure they get a decent amount of new compost on the top throughout the growing period. I get a decent crop from 3 troughs each with 2 plants in it although when we do have prolonged dry periods they do like to be watered 2 or 3 times a day.

Hope this helps

I can recommend Hestia too. They crop well in large pots. Just watch out for the slugs and snails which enjoy them too.
Wigwams planted in large pots can get top heavy and blown over.

Beryl.

Hi Smurfy,
I didn't realize that you were quite that old. Erica my friend is nearly 93
and she cannot keep using the steps up the steep terrain of the rest of her garden!
Now seriously, the swellgel in the pots is a jolly good idea.
Erica also grows early potatoes on the patio in 12"x12"x 72" troughs made of waterproof boarding and has a Salad Table and hanging baskets with Tumbling Tom Tomatoes. A few years back her husband had a stroke and they had to give up probably the best allotment I have ever seen and we all got together to get her growing again. Pleased to say that her husband is still with us and sits and tells her what to do. Silly old bugger, she is far the better gardener than he. She just says it keeps him alive telling me what I already know!
JB.

I thought that's what women were good at, letting their husbands think that the ideas were theirs!!

I forgot to mention that the type of beans i grow in my troughs are Scarlet Emperor and Cobra. Although this year a friend has given me some Enorma for me to try.

Last summer our next door neighbour grew some runner beans in a trough which was about 10" deep, but he'd put a good helping of rotted manure mixed in with the compost to retain moisture. To avoid the problem of beanpoles falling over, he positioned the trough against the wall and fixed some rigid green plastic trellising onto the wall with strong cup-hooks for the beans to climb up. It worked well and he got a good yield but because the trough was in a sunny position he had to water morning and evening to stop it drying out. I suspect that your 8" trough might just be a little too shallow but if you can really bulk the compost out with water retaining roughage and don't put many bean plants in it might just work.

I would imagine the soil content is crucial to any container given how much nitrogen beans like and how compost can fade, I read today that runners need 100 frost free days to bear pods, a lont time for normal compost one would guess..........

CoMpo

I've just been granted permission from SWMBO to grow runners in the ground so I shan't be using the containers after all, but thanks to all who replied, it's good to know you're all out there with valuable advice.

Rhubarb Stick

Dear Rhubarb Stick, i've got to ask, what does SWMBO stand for.

Remember Rumple of the Bailey? She Who Must Be Obeyed.
Every man should have one !!

Dear Primrose thank-you for the reply.