Runner Bean Tenderstar

Additional Details

When to Sow Tenderstar Runner Bean Seeds

April to June

Plant out

May to July

Harvest

July to September

Where to Sow

Early sowings can be made under glass at a temperature of 16 C, sow 2-3 seeds per 8cm (3in) pot filled with seed sowing compost. Outside sowings can be made from May onwards into the growing site 5cm (2in) deep. Sow 2-3 seeds every 20-30cm (8-12in) apart with rows spaced 60cm (24in) apart.

What to do next

Seedlings sown under glass should be gradually hardened off before plant-ing outside in late May to the above spacing, once all risk of frost has passed. Place a support cane at each planting station. Alternatively, circular plantings can be made with canes joined at the centre to form a wigwam. For optimum crop, place canes 30-45cm (12-18") apart with 3 beans planted per cane. Water regularly during dry weather.

Handy Tip

Runner beans are hungry plants; the ground should be well prepared and manured the previous autumn.