"Baz" wrote in message
...
Chris ] wrote in ]:

Why thin Runner beans?
Instructions say sow two seeds and thin to one.
What if you don't thin?
Fewer beans?
Slower growth?
Or what?

I have always during my 5 years of growing them, grossly overplanted.
I always germinate them indoors and then plant some of them out when I
think the last frost has gone. Then in June I plant the rest when it is
safe and free from frost.
Apart from this year, I have always had a great harvest from them.

Same with broad beans, but I sow them directly into the garden 1" or so
apart in a 2" deep drill after 24hours soaking in water. You can afford to
do this if you save your own seed.
Same with peas, grossly oversow them, almost touching each other.
Save plenty of seed is my advice.

IMO the seed companies like you to think that you have a long row of their
product by spacing it out too far apart. They would look silly, the
runners, in a row of 4' in a packet of 50 seeds? Much better for them to
say a 6 metre row spacing 9" apart.

I'll get back to you, Baz when I am in a position to do that
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