Runner Bean Benchmaster

'Benchmaster' runner bean is a popular, award-winning British bred variety that performs well even in unfavourable weather conditions and regions with short, cool summers. This highly ornamental bean displays coral-red flowers in spring on vigorous 3m (10ft) tall plants. The flowers are followed by very long, smooth and tasty green pods (40cm (16in)). They are delicious harvested when they are still young and tender. When left too late, the pods will turn tough and fibrous, but can still be harvested as dry shelling beans. Unlike French beans, runner bean seeds need to be planted under at least 5cm of soil (2in) to germinate. Sow the seeds from April to June for a fabulous harvest from July to September.

Phaseolus coccineus is a climbing herbaceous plant, perennial by its tuberised taproot. It is not hardy, so is grown as an annual. It belongs to the Fabaceae family, and is native to the mountains of Central America and Mexico. It produces beautiful, large pea-like flowers.

Each plant quickly reaches 3m (10ft), even if the climatic conditions are unfavourable. Provide each plant with a support. They will quickly form a beautiful green wall. Place several seeds in a hole at the base of each support. Their seeds need to be planted at least 5cm (2in) deep in the soil to germinate. Even the cotyledon germinates underground before the first true leaves appear. Mulch to keep the soil slightly moist during the fruiting period.

Whether consumed for its pod or its seed, the bean is a highly appreciated vegetable in gardens because it is very easy to grow. It is so reliable that the gardener knows the exact date of its first harvest, which is 60 days after sowing.

Discovered in the New World and acclimatised in Europe from the 16th century onwards, the bean has now become an essential legume in diets all over the world. Native Americans cultivated it for its dried seeds. In the 18th century, the Italians initiated the consumption of the whole pod by picking it immature.

Beans are a vine plant with indeterminate growth. Primitive varieties are all climbing plants and require support. Later, for practical reasons, dwarf varieties were selected, but they all have tendrils that can wrap around a support.

The pods are generally green, sometimes yellow (butter beans), striped with red, or even amethyst. Among the varieties that are eaten at the fine or extra-fine stage, there are string beans that develop strings when fully ripe. Then the pod becomes parchment-like and loses its taste quality.

The snap bean is generally fleshier and can be consumed entirely, with both the seeds and the pods, even when fully ripe. The more recently created stringless-snap beans can be consumed when young and extra-fine until they become fleshier like a snap bean, as they do not form strings.

Among the shell beans (i.e., beans whose seeds are consumed), a distinction is made between the harvest of fresh beans and that of dry seeds, which is done 90 days after sowing.

Immature green pods are rich in vitamins A, B9, and C, as well as trace elements and minerals. Dry beans are also very rich in vitamin C, trace elements, and especially vegetable proteins.

Harvest: the harvest of fresh beans or young pods begins 60 days after sowing. For fresh beans, harvest before the pods start to dehydrate and develop wrinkles. The beans should barely take on their colour. For the consumption of pods, the harvest should take place every 2 or 3 days, both at the fine and extra-fine stage for string beans. Harvest dry beans by cutting the whole plant and hanging it in a dry and airy place. They can be shelled as needed.

Storage: freezing pods is currently the most common method of preservation. To do this, they should be trimmed, washed, blanched for 5 to 6 minutes in boiling water, and then plunged into cold water before drying them with a clean towel. Once packaged, the beans can be placed in the freezer at -18°C (-0.4°F). However, canning is regaining its popularity among an increasing number of consumers due to the taste qualities inherent in this preservation method. Like with freezing, trim, wash, blanch, and then plunge the beans into cold water. Then place them in jars, filling them with salted boiling water. Seal the jars and sterilise them in a pressure cooker or with a steriliser for 1 hour and 30 minutes over medium heat. To do this, completely cover the jars with water after securing them well. Completely dry bean seeds can be stored for up to one year in good conditions, such as in airtight jars.

The gardener's tip: like all members of the Fabaceae family, beans can fix nitrogen from the air in the soil through a plant-bacteria symbiosis. They can regenerate soils. Beans can be incorporated into crop rotation after mixing in green manure.

Beans are not very demanding in terms of nutrients. Traditionally, the cultivation of beans in Central and South America is associated with the cultivation of squash and corn, forming a beneficial triad. This association is locally called Milpa. Beans also work well with aubergine, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, and radishes as they mutually protect each other. However, avoid planting them near alliums or fennel, as their growth will be inhibited.

A spray of nettle manure is an effective control of aphids. It also strengthens the plants that have benefited from it.