Runner Bean Seeds - Painted Lady

20 Seeds.

Other Names - Climbing Beans, String Beans…

An attractive old variety which has become popular once again with gardeners. It produces an abundance of pretty bicoloured red and white flowers making this variety suitable for the flower garden if space is limited perhaps to grow up a trellis or archway. The beans of Painted Lady have a particularly fine flavour and the variety is very productive. The beans freeze well.

• Produces attractive pink and white flowers.
• Award winning - RHS Award of Garden Merit.
• Will freeze well.

Suitable For - Vegetable plot, raised beds

Sowing Months - April - July

Harvest - July - September

Gardening is about finding the right balance! Try growing Companion Plants close by to help deter pests.

• Amaranth is great for attracting the ground beetle. This predatory beetle eats slugs, snails, slug and snail eggs, caterpillars and weed seed.
• Aphids are attracted to nasturtiums. Grow these flowers close by as a sacrificial plant. If there are aphids in the area the nasturtiums will help to draw the pests away from the crop.
• Try growing sweet peas amongst the bean plants or grow separately but close by. These beautiful flowers will attract bees which will help to pollinate the bean flowers.
• Calendula (Pot marigold) attracts predator insects such as lacewings, ladybirds and hoverflies who love to feast on aphids.
• Comfrey can be used to make a nutrient rich liquid fertilizer ideal for fruiting plants. It can also be used as a compost accelerator, a slug repellent and a nutritional mulch.

Soil Preperation

The soil needs to be well drained, fertile and moisture retentive. Add a generous amount of compost or well rotted manure to the area a few months before sowing or planting (ideally the previous autumn). Add some general purpose organic fertilizer to the area 2 - 3 weeks before sowing or planting.

Sowing Guide

Early Sowing/Module Sowing

Avoid sowing too early, runner beans dislike cold soils and cold weather. Sow 1 seed 2cm deep in a small pot or 4 cm modules. Ensure there is sufficient heat for fast germination. 2 - 3 weeks after germination plant out at the distance suggested above. Harden the plants over 7 - 10 days before planting out to reduce the chances of shock. If the weather is cold cover the newly planted beans with horticultural fleece until the growth becomes strong. Look out for slugs and snails, especially at the early stages as they are very vulnerable to these pests.

Direct Sowing

Avoid sowing too early as runner beans dislike cold soil. Sow 1 bean seed, 4cm deep, 35cm apart. Sow some extra seeds at the end of the rows. These can be used as transplants to fill in any gaps. Cover the seed with soil and water well. If after sowing the weather becomes cold cover the bed with horticultural fleece until the plants are growing strong.

Growing On

Hoe regularly to keep the weeds under control especially during the early stages. Climbing varieties will need supports to climb up.
Traditionally, runner beans are sown in two parallel rows about 50 - 100 cm apart. Sink 20 - 25 cm of a 180 - 250 cm long bamboo cane or hazel sticks into the ground 8 - 10 cm away from each plant. Angle the canes inwards so that the angled canes in both rows meet and pair up. Tie each pair together with gardening twine 20 - 25 cm from the top. This will create a good sized 'V'. Once every opposite pair has been tied together lay horizontal canes on top of the 'V' section. Tie the horizontal canes to the structure with gardening twine.
Other structures such as wigwams, trellises and archways can also be constructed. Loosely tie each plant to its cane to help guide the plants in the right direction and to help prevent slug attack. Water well during dry summer spells and when the flowers and pods start to form. The plants will benefit from a mulch of well rotted manure or compost in June or July to help keep the soil moist. To stop the plant growing any taller after it has reached the top of the support, pinch out the growing points to encourage side shoots to grow.

Harvesting

Start to harvest runner beans when the pods are 15 - 20 cm in length, before the beans inside start to swell. If some pods are left to mature on the plant this will sadly halt the production of any more beans. However if the young pods are picked regularly and none are allowed to mature the plant can produce runner beans for up to 3 months.
To prevent damaging the plant when harvesting, hold on to the stem when pulling on the bean, use scissors to harvest if preferred. Runner beans freeze very well and are a welcome addition over the winter months. Wash and trim young pods, slice into chunks. Blanch the beans for 2 minutes, drain well. Freeze in polythene bags, use within 12 months.