13 In Edibles/ Gardening

Guide To Growing Runner Beans

How To Grow Scarlet Runner Beans

More commonly known as the Runner Bean, these beautiful and vibrant flowering vines produce a delicious harvest. You can pick and enjoy them all summer through late fall. When you open the giant green pods, the bean itself is a stunning mix of pink and purple. A huge plus I've noticed when growing this variety of bean, is that the tiny red flowers attract hummingbirds to your garden! They swarm the tall, thick vines and sometimes will even use them as a resting place to sit and relax.

Guide To Growing Scarlet Runner Beans | angiethefreckledrose.com

What You Need

• A sunny location
• Sturdy support

• Well-drained soil
• Plenty of room to grow

These beans definitely need a sturdy support system to thrive. The vines can become very heavy, especially when they start to produce. The bean pod itself can be quite large and needs protection from strong winds and rainstorms that can weigh them down. I learned the hard way that if you don't have proper support put in place before a storm hits, it can make a huge mess in your garden. It is much easier to deal with the young vines rather than struggle with the heavy, fully mature vines. Runner bean vines can grow up to 6 feet high! I used a trellis in my raised garden bed for support. Another great option is building a bean teepee. I'm going to give that a try later this year.

Guide To Growing Scarlet Runner Beans | angiethefreckledrose.com

Young vines growing up the trellis

Seed Information

•Direct sow 1 to 2 weeks after frost
•Cover with soil and lightly press seeds 1" below surface
•Sow seeds around the base of trellis. This will help vines attach around base as they begin to climb.

Make sure to water gently right after planting. In about 7 to 10 days you should begin seeing your seedling start to emerge. Thin out seeds if necessary. Vines don't need much extra assistance climbing a trellis. They have no trouble grabbing onto anything close, so make sure other garden vegetables and plants are spaced far enough away.

Looking to purchase these seeds?

I purchased mine from Botanical Interests.
Guide To Growing Scarlet Runner Beans | angiethefreckledrose.com

White and red petunias planted at the base of my vines attracting pollinators


Companion Planting Tip: I planted petunias all around the base of my runner beans. They repel the Mexican bean beetle as well as a variety of other garden pests that might try to munch your plants! It also helps that they attract beneficial insects and pollinators all well looking beautiful in your garden


 

Guide To Growing Scarlet Runner Beans | angiethefreckledrose.com

Harvesting Runner Beans

When it comes to harvesting runner beans, there are a few ways to do this. You can harvest them young when they are tasty and tender. This is known as a “snap bean” This is when the bean is about 4”-6” long. Simply twist the pod at the base off the vine and snap it open. The beans inside should be small, light pink and just starting the form. The pods can sometimes be hidden among the leaves and vines so make sure to frequently check! Also pick often as the pods can begin weighing down the vines.

If you would like to harvest the beans for cooking, you can let the pods stay on the vine past maturity. They will become larger than 6” before picking. This allows the bean to become fully shelled. The beans inside will be a mix of bright pink and purple. This is also ideal if you want to save your seeds to replant. I highly recommend doing this at the end of the growing season to use next season or even trade some extras in seed swaps! Make sure to store your seeds in a dry, safe location until use.

Guide To Growing Scarlet Runner Beans | angiethefreckledrose.com

Hummingbird resting on the Scarlet Emperor vines

If you have a successful growing season and your plants don’t develop disease, make sure to compost leftover plant material. I used a drip hose irrigation system during the hot summer months to make sure my soil never became too dry. I also used a daily self timer so that my plants received consistent watering. I planted my runner bean seeds in potting soil mixed with peat moss. A good tip I've learned is to lightly mist the flowers as well as the foliage to encourage more blooms.

Tuesdays In The Garden | angiethefreckledrose.com

Tuesdays In The Garden

This week we are sharing how to grow and care for different fruits and vegetables. Hop on over to each link and make sure you check out these great growing guides!

Now that I have grown these beans, I can't imagine a summer without seeing the beautiful red blooms in my vegetable garden. I'm sure the hummingbirds feel the same way too!  Have you grown runner beans in your garden?  I would love to know about any tips you have.  Feel free to share any stories of your own!  Have any questions for me? Please leave them in the comment section below.

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Guide To Growing Scarlet Runner Beans | angiethefreckledrose.com
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13 Comments

  • Reply
    Floral Fridays
    September 15, 2016 at 3:27 am

    Just in time for us down here in Melbourne, Angie. Must look for some seeds.
    Thank you for your participation in the Floral Friday Foto meme, I look forward to your next contribution.

  • Reply
    Lori
    September 13, 2016 at 7:50 am

    Great tips! I need to attend my little gardens more… 🙂

  • Reply
    Debbie-Dabble
    September 11, 2016 at 7:06 am

    How interesting this is!! Thanks so much for all your visits and kind comments!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

  • Reply
    Villroses hage
    September 9, 2016 at 6:20 pm

    I just love runner beans! They are absoloutly able to tilt supports!
    Oh! I wish we had humming birds…

  • Reply
    Cricket Plunkett
    September 8, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    I never knew they had such a beautiful flower! I’m not the best gardener by maybe I’ll try my hand at these!

  • Reply
    Sheila Jo
    September 8, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    Great tip about the petunias! I haven’t grown these in my garden, but may consider it in the future!

  • Reply
    Kim Smith
    September 7, 2016 at 8:19 pm

    These beans are so pretty and I guess that is the contrast between the red flowers and the green beans. So pretty and I guess I should try growing vegetables again. Maybe it would work for me this time.

  • Reply
    daisy
    September 7, 2016 at 6:20 am

    Great information. I’m not too familiar with these beans, but they look like a contender in future gardens!
    Thank you for joining us on The Maple Hill Hop this week!

  • Reply
    image-in-ing: weekly photo linky
    September 6, 2016 at 8:50 pm

    They look so pretty!
    Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/09/orchids-other-worldly.html

  • Reply
    Diane
    September 6, 2016 at 7:49 pm

    What a lovely bean! Plant, pod, and bean. I love that they attract pollinators with those pretty red flowers! Reading your posts is so fun. I love your photos and unusual varieties you find. So inspirational. Thanks for the tips on planting these. I will encourage Dave to order them for us.

  • Reply
    Jami
    September 6, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    What a great resource, Angie! I’ve grown a purple and a peach runner beans in the past, but never could get myself to eat the huge, fuzzy pods, ha! I’ll stick to my little filet green beans for eating, but I love the color all season from runners. 🙂

  • Reply
    Shelly
    September 6, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    I’ve never grown these beans before. I’m curious how you prepare them to eat? From your article, I’m thinking you only eat the beans inside the pod and not the pod itself? I’m going to have to look into adding them to my garden. I usually grow wax and green beans in our garden but adding some of the scarlet runner beans would be a nice addition. I know the hummingbirds that come to our garden would enjoy them too.

  • Reply
    Michelle Marine
    September 6, 2016 at 10:40 am

    They’re beautiful, Angie. I also love that stunning red color. I’ve never grown them before, and so enjoy learning about all of these amazing plants. 🙂

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