[deepinthewoods]

just harvested my first today, cant believe how late that is, they went in in april . they're about 4 weeks behind last years, but there is lots so maybe the yeild will be fair.
hows everybody elses?

[RUSTYME]

Well done mate.
Mine are non existant , the birds had them ! Got plenty of leeks though !
Do you freeze yours or salt them ?

[deepinthewoods]

salt them russ, much nicer than frozen mush, and keep forever and ever.
oh and i make a famous picallily, mmmmmm

[RUSTYME]

Brilliant ! I don't know anyone who salts now , all freezer mushites . Will you be leaving some plants to get the beans for drying ? Weather permitting mind .

[deepinthewoods]

i usually leave a few of the last ones but havent had much success, only got 3 beans saved last year
theyre good plants now mind.
 
salting is much maligned, but for beans is the best way imho.

[Lesley Silvester]

I left my first lot outside for their first night the same night we had our last frost.  Although I did plant them, they nearly all died.  My second lot were mostly got by the slugs but some survived and are about 9 inches high now.  One has a flowr on it but I'm not hopeful of a good crop. 

[plumseverywhere]

We've been lucky this year and had loads of runner beans. Normally we don't do this well.


We've even won a competition for longest runner bean at the Worcester Goat show       oh the excitement 

[YorkshireLass]

Mine are starting to show! They're about 2 inches long and a hairs width, but they're THERE.


When you say you salt them - assuming i get enough to store - is there any more to it than, well, salt? 

[RUSTYME]

Nope, just salt . But don't use table salt , use sea salt or cooking salt .
If you can, use a wide top earthenware storage jar or a large glass jar .
Put a 1/2" layer of salt on the bottom of the jar , then a 1" layer of runner beans , then cover with a 1/4" layer of salt . Another layer of beans and salt and continue to the top . Pop lid on , Job done .

[deepinthewoods]

ive have  used table salt, but it did end up as a brine.
just to add, you have to soak them really well before you use them. all of mine go in stews through the winter, and dont use old stringy beans!!!

[RUSTYME]

Yes good points Dave . Table salt also has other chemicals in it !

[deepinthewoods]

doh, yes of course.

[in the hills]

Usually don't do that well with runner beans but although they're late, we have loads on this year 


Started picking a couple of weeks ago. They must like the rain. 

[Beewyched]

Between the weather, slugs, geese (my OH's), the weather & oh, the weather none of mine have survived - either pot-grown or direct sown 

[Plantoid]

Here is a piccie of our longest runner bean , the rest are not far behind .. Can any one beat that ?
 They are not stringy either and taste heavenly.
 

 
 This soilless growth medium method I'm using has produced some astounding results I'm glad I took this route to sort out my disabled gardening.