Runner Beans

Question

This year I planted 3 Runner Bean plants which I had over- wintered in the Greenhouse ( in pots) they grew really well but had more foliage and beans at the top and barely any halfway down Is it my soil?

Answer 1

I have never heard of overwintering runner beans and that might well be the cause. Runner beans are a quick growing plant, there really is no need to overwinter. I sow mine in the greenhouse in pots in late May and harvest my first crop late July, then well into September. They do require a regular watering to get the best crops and a dose of OLD, WELL ROTTED manure, dug in preferably in the autumn. Bees will help to pollinate open flowers and a fine misty spray of water will help the beans to set.