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Post by lesley on Aug 29, 2011 15:47:29 GMT
We also like both, I dint blanch either, mind you they wont be there long Sue what variety French bean did you have ? I've been really pleased with both this year. ;D
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Post by Cherry on Aug 29, 2011 17:19:45 GMT
I grew Cobra and Delinel bush French beans are under them. I am very pleased with both of them.
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Post by peony on Aug 29, 2011 17:46:46 GMT
I know I don't grow either these days, so I shouldn't really comment, but I love runner beans! I used to eat a plate of them with a little grated cheese on for lunch. Yumm! Like Geranium I don't grow either, but I prefer runner beans, we had some last night, delicious ;D
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bists
Full Member
Posts: 108
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Post by bists on Aug 29, 2011 18:08:48 GMT
I grew Cobra and Delinel bush French beans are under them. I am very pleased with both of them. Delinel are great, as are amethyst if you like the purple dwarf french beans. Have to say I tend to grow Runner Beans mainly for the flowers - Celebration has gorgeous pink flowers.....and so long as somebody eats the runners, and leaves the french for me!!
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Post by Tel on Aug 29, 2011 18:35:48 GMT
We used to blanch our french beans, don't now and i have not noticed any difference.
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Post by steve on Aug 29, 2011 20:22:46 GMT
I do grow both and like the taste of both just that french freeze better...but if you don't like stringy runners pick em young ;D
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Aug 30, 2011 6:14:56 GMT
Sue what variety French bean did you have ? I'm not sure Les, I keep meaning to make a note of which types I sow each year, it's not happened yet, pehaps I'll remember this year (duck, here comes a flying pig) ;D I have a choice of two for next year 'Cobra' and 'Blue Lake', has anybody grown either of them?
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Post by steve on Aug 30, 2011 8:42:34 GMT
Yes Cobra has a bit of a bite to it and Blue lake was very watery
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Post by Cherry on Aug 30, 2011 19:12:59 GMT
I just love Cobra and have some seeds left I think, so next year I will have Cobra and Blue Lake. I haven't tried Blue Lake but I was fortunate to have these given to me.
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Post by Tel on Aug 30, 2011 19:19:30 GMT
I tried Blue Lake free with the Garden News, i prefer The Prince it is a good show variety and good to eat.
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Aug 30, 2011 20:24:08 GMT
Thank you, I'll try Cobra next year.
How big do you let them grow before you pick them? I was letting mine get to about 5 inches (the same as dwarf beans), they were sweet with no stinginess. I saw some in the supermarket which were only about four inches long and half the thickness which made me think I wasn't picking them young enough. Yesterday when I picked them I found some I'd missed and they had got to about seven inches and as thick as a pencil but were still tasty and stringless. So, what is the best size to pick them?
This is the first time I've grown climbing french beans, I was expecting them to be exactly the same as dwarf beans but they are a completely different beastie.
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Post by Cherry on Aug 30, 2011 21:06:42 GMT
Just as soon as they look ripe which is probably 5 inches. They are ready a day or two after you know they are not ready. Does this make sense? You should be picking every two days really. That is my experience only. Other people might know better.
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Post by steve on Aug 31, 2011 6:34:26 GMT
Yes keep picking young-ish to keep them cropping once they start getting older fuller beans on the plant has done its job
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Oct 11, 2011 21:19:31 GMT
Can I grow climbing French beans in the same place each year?
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Post by steve on Oct 11, 2011 21:27:59 GMT
This is from Garden action site WF and suggests they are not as prone to disease from growing in the same place as most other veg, but still best to rotate after a number of years
Pest and Disease Control By rotating crops round your allotment, the build up of pests and disease in the soil will be significantly reduced. The brassica family of vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli etc) will particularly benefit from rotation. If you grow them in the same position each year they will very soon suffer from club root disease and that's the end of growing cabbage on your allotment for the next 8 years.
Other vegetables are not so prone to the build up of disease. Peas, French Beans and Runner Beans can be grown in the same plot for several years without problem. We recommend you practice crop rotation but don't become a slave to it, although brassicas are the exception. Remember, the soil that sticks to your boots contains literally millions of spores and there is nothing you can do about that!
On the original point of which is best Runners or French, I have read now in a few magazines they they have crossed them ;D
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