Runner bean
Phaseolus coccineus
A vegetable, sown April to July.
In September: keep picking the runner bean.
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Runner bean, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Sow outdoors. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none |
| Plant out. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none |
| Put up supports for the runner bean. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | usual | none | none |
| Tie in the runner bean. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none |
| Keep picking the runner bean. | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover April to May, 5cm deep. Strong source: RHS.
Sow outdoors May to July, 5cm deep, 20cm apart, rows 60cm apart. Strong sources: RHS and Gardeners’ World.
Plant out May to June, 20cm apart, rows 60cm apart. Strong sources: RHS and Gardeners’ World.
Put up supports for the runner bean
Build a wigwam of five or more 2.5m canes, 15 to 30cm apart, tied at the top.
Usually March to April, and June. Moderate source: RHS.
Tie in the runner bean
Tie the stems loosely to the canes to get them climbing.
Usually May to June. Strong source: RHS.
Keep picking the runner bean
Usually June to October. Strong source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Runner bean” comes from.