Aubergines and Runner Beans planted out

Runner Beans, Broad Beans sown

Runner Bean update

The first batch of runner beans failed to germinate, but then I realised the best before date on the packet was 2011. I bought some more and they have come up...

Courgettes, Squash, Runner Beans and Broad Beans sown

First runner beans harvested

Runner beans forming

Blackfly on runner beans

Spotted blackfly on the runner beans. Decided to clear them using the finger-squish method as it's less damaging to the tender parts of the plant on which the blackfly cluster than using the old toothbrush method that I tried on the courgette.

Squishing them this way is not a pleasant process, but it's even more unpleasant for the blackfly.

Runner bean update

Runner bean update

Fox damage on runner beans

The first pic above shows a hole dug by a fox next to the runner beans. The other photos show damaged growing points of some of the runner beans (presumably damaged by the fox). Fortunately, other growing points are developing so hopefully the plants will be ok.

Contact!

This is the first runner bean plant to grip its cane.

Runner beans planted out.

At last!!! Planted the 9 runner beans out. I found old roof tiles and bits of brick buried where I wanted to plant the beans, and had a bit of a struggle digging the rubble out.

Runner bean update

They're ready for planting out. Maybe tomorrow?

Runner bean update

The runner bean plants are ready to be planted out, but it's still cold so I'm reluctant to do it just yet. After taking this pic I spaced the pots out a bit more so that the plants aren't fighting each other for light.

Runner bean update

I hadn't planned on planting these out until mid-May, but at the rate they're growing I think I'll need to put them out some time in the next few days. Of the original 10 beans I sowed, one has failed to come up.

Runner beans sprouting

8 of the 10 beans I sowed are now sprouting.

Runner beans sown