Runner Bean Collection

• Vegetable Seeds

Collection contains four packets of runner bean seed (1 of each variety) each with different flower colours:St George - (Stringless) A much superior 'Painted Lady' type, it is more expensive. But this is more then compensated for by the much superior yield and pod quality. Voted the heaviest runner bean cropper in recent RHS trials, the pods are long and tasty and the added bonus are the beautiful red and white flowers.Royal Standard - Of vigorous growth, Royal Standard produces many fine clusters of long, smooth, slender slightly curved pods with a crisply rich flavour. Crops over a long period. Red flowered.Celebration - Stunning salmon pink flowers are followed by delicious long, smooth pods in profusion. An excellent variety and ornamental too!Moonlight - The original French/Runner bean cross variety introduced in 2011 and already a customer favourite. Long, stringless, tasty pods in profusion and attractive white blossom through the summer. Full growing instructions given on packets. MAR_2012

Runner Bean Hestia Seeds Average Seeds 50

• Vegetable Seeds

A superb, disease resistant and easy to grow dwarf runner bean (ideal for exposed gardens and container growing), bearing heavy crops of stringless, high quality and delicious beans. With its attractive bicolour red and white flowers, it also makes an ideal addition to the flower garden. Low growing variety. Height 45cm (18"). Any good garden soil will do, but the best crops are obtained after deep digging and liberal manuring. For early crops sow in pots under cover in April and plants out mid May, protecting against frost. Alternatively sow outdoors from April onwards, protecting early crops with cloches until frost danger is past. Sow 5-7.5cm (2-3") deep and 15cm (6") apart in double rows 30cm (12") apart. Allow 1.5m (5') between each double row. Thin resulting plants to grow on about 30cm (12") apart. Stake the plants as soon as possible after germination. Harvest August-mid October. Plants reach a height of 1.8-2.1m (6-7'). Double row 4.5m (15'), except where stated. New research indicates that evening watering of the roots increases cropping and pod set. HEALTH BENEFITS: Good quantities of vitamin C (anti-ageing, wound healing, decreasing blood cholesterol and prevention of infections. Assists the body in absorbing iron), folate and iron together with fibre. COOKING HINTS: Cook thinly and steam for just five minutes (or boil for three) as vitamins are easily lost.