Runner Beans

[whitbybabe]

My runner beans were planted two weeks ago and are now between 6 and 9 inches high.I know I cant put them outside until May,but how do I look after them until then? Do I have to put them on canes/net until May as they are going to start to bend over if I dont do something with them.Please help !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[slinkycat]

Sorry Whitbybabe but you planted them too early! Don't usually sow mine til towards end of april, they grow so quickly and at least that way you can be sure you will be planting them out when the danger of a late frost has passed.
All I can suggest is that you risk planting them out now or they will get too leggy, if you're in the south you should be ok, but going by your name I take it you're not?!
You could always sow some more just in case, then give any surplus away to friends if the original ones survive.

[Whoever]

Yes, you've planted way too early I'm afraid. Even if you plant them out and protect them with fleece I'm afraid they won't thrive as runner beans hate the cold and frost will completely kill them off. Beans are not too expensive so to avoid total disappointment I suggest you sow another batch around the first week in May. They germinate quickly and will soon catch up. If you don't want to do this and are forced to plant them out, don't do until until you've bought a large length of fleece and have wrapped it completely round your runner bean pole structure to protect them. Then in early May, if they're not surviving, plant new beans beside them in the soil and once they've germinated, get rid of your lanky beans, otherwise you'll never get a decent crop unfortunately.