Runner Beans need poles, trellis or mesh to climb up and provide support.

When the beans are mature, they will have a great mass of foliage, which is heavy, particularly when it is wet following rain. Therefore the supports need to be strong and firmly in place. The minimum recommended size for the poles is 2.5m x 30cm diameter. The poles are difficult to push into the soil if they are over 50cm diameter.

Support Methods - must be secure and strong.

• Mesh - wire or plastic - is a useful support in a small garden, & is easy to use if the beans are being grown on a wall.

• Poles and sticks - hazel or sweet chestnut look natural, & can be obtained from Woodland trusts or working forests.

• Bamboo canes have airmiles as do plastic poles.

Arranging poles or sticks:

• Wigwams

Four or more poles are tied together with string or wire near the top, and set into the ground to form a wigwam.

• Crossed Poles

Pairs of crossed poles, 40 cm apart, are held together by a horizontal support. The two outside pairs of poles are put up first & fixed to the horizontal support with string or wire (use the two half hitches knot). The remaining pairs of poles are then placed every 40cm..There are many variations of support using a horizontal bar.

Using the supports.

• Supports should be erected prior to sowing or planting. If the supports are put in when the beans are already growing the roots may be damaged.
• The beans are planted on the outside of poles.