Over the years I’ve sown my French and Runner Beans at various times. I’ve come to the conclusion that the best time to sow them is 2-3 weeks before you intend to plant them outside. That way they are about 9-12 inches tall and are large enough to survive outside, but haven’t started to curl around each other and everything else in the greenhouse. There is nothing worse that bean plants that are trying to “make out” with each other and not a bamboo cane. Make sure you don’t plant them out until all frost has gone in your area. The slightest bit of frost will kill them immediately. Gavin, who used to be my allotment neighbour (he moved last year and gave me his bench, lovely man), always used to plant his beans out at the beginning of May, and always had to put a second lot in because we’d have a cold night and they’d all died. So this year I’ve sown the following varieties of French Beans: “Cherokee Trail of Tears” and “Cobra” and Runner Beans “Firelight”. I’ll keep you updated on how they grow. However I have now run out of compost so will have to wait until I buy some more compost to finish sowing them all. I’ll get some more in the next couple of days.
Clairesallotment's Blog 
Lovely update thank you for sharing have a blessed day Claire going try some this year still working on growing area as i sow and pot on have a blessed day
I’ve just discovered your videos, they are so clear and informative, thank you! I now know what I’m doing wrong with my beans, luckily I’ve got another chance so will sow some more…thanks Claire 🙂 xxx
I’m glad you find my videos useful, I hope your beans are growing well this year.
Claire, I haven’t really tried to grow runner beans (we here call them pole beans) but maybe another year I might try them. I grow what we call bush green beans. They don’t need support and produce a fairly good amount. Now that I’ve figured out how to can outside. I’ll be canning more produce for Winter consumption. I have one bed that already up and growing in my back yard and will be planting another bed at my big garden. It’s time to plant the warm weather crops so this next week will be a busy garden week in both my garden locations.
Have a great day planting, potting up, and soon to be harvesting.
Hi Claire – Really enjoy your videos and appreciate your gardening knowledge! Wondering about the French beans and runner beans you planted in half toilet rolls on May 18. Have you planted them outdoors yet? Do you find that the root gets very long before you plant out in 2-3 weeks? I planted bean seeds in toilet rolls a few days ago. When I direct sow outdoors, beetles (?) chew the leaves and/or cutworms chew the seedlings off at the base. I’m in the U.S. Thanks!
Yes my Runners and French beans are in the greenhouse on my allotment. I’ll be planting them out tomorrow. I was hoping to get them done over the half term, but the weather wasn’t gardening friendly.