Growing Scarlet Runner Beans

I've been growing scarlet runners for about five years and from the original plants!!!

They are known as the seven-year bean because they are semi-perennial.

As you can see, they grow pretty tall - about 2metres in this case - and will spread as far as you allow them. They love a well fertilised soil and benefit from regular feeding.

They are a heavy cropper - I have been regularly harvesting 1 kilo of beans every week - and have a wonderful flavour.

TOP TIP - For best flavour, you should pick them when young. No more than 6inches - 150mm - long while the beans inside are small and still green. Too big and they become coarse and stringy.

RECIPES

To cook - slice the beans into 1-2cm lengths. The bigger the bean the thinner the slice.

Add to boiling lightly salted - to taste - water and cook for 3 minutes. Drain and serve

• Option 1- Use as they come

• Option 2 - Add a knob of butter, stir through and serve.

• Option3 - Add a knob of butter - or some olive oil- to a small frying pan.

Soften some small tomatoes

Add two cloves of chopped/crushed garlic

Stir together until the garlic aroma is tempting!

Add the cooked beans

Delicious with a lamb chop or lamb fillet !!!

AVAILABILITY

Scarlet runner seeds not common, but always available at Diggers. This gives you an excuse to go and visit their gardens at Cloudehill, Heronswood or Garden of St Erth. All have good restaurants!

Happy gardening - David Rae