Runner Bean Benchmaster

Runner Bean Benchmaster.  A top quality, red flowered British-bred variety producing pods of over 40cm (16″) in length. Abundant crops of pods hang in clusters and are fleshy, but slender, smooth and straight. For exhibition, thin to one pod per flower stem to increase the length of each bean. Runner beans are a good source of Vitamin C, folate and iron, and have a high fibre content. Runner Bean ‘Benchmaster’ is also suitable for freezing.

Height: 3m (10′). Spread: 30cm (12″).

Sow
April – July

Harvest
August – September

How to sow
Sow runner bean seed indoors from mid April for transplanting later on, or direct sow outdoors from late May to July.

Indoors, sow seed at a depth of 5cm (2″) in 7.5cm (3″) pots or trays of free-draining, seed sowing compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a plastic bag at a temperature of 18-20C (64-68F) until germination which takes 7-10 days. Once germinated, grow runner beans on in cooler conditions until all risk of frost has passed and runner bean plants are large enough to be transplanted. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7 – 10 days before planting runner beans outdoors in rich fertile, well drained soil in full sun or semi shade with protection from strong winds. Avoid freshly manured soil which will promote lush foliage instead of beans.

Alternatively direct sow runner beans outdoors at a depth of 5cm (2″) and a distance of 30cm (12″) apart. Plant runner beans in rows that are 1.5m (5′) apart, or where space is limited, grow beans onto a wigwam structure. Runner beans require support from garden canes, strings or netting which should be put in place at the time of planting.