11 TIPS TO GROWING BEANS

ONCE the beans are 15cm long, start picking. At peak production, runner beans should be checked daily. Always pick before the pods become lumpy from swelling seeds, as they will be tougher and less palatable. REMOVE all beans from the vine, even if you don't want to eat older, drier ones, to encourage flowering and more beans. CUT or snip beans, rather than pulling them, as it's easy to damage the stems. FOR the best flavour, eat straight from the vine. You can store them in the fridge for 2-4 days, or process them for freezing. TO PREPARE, rinse and snip the ends. Any longitudinal strings should be removed with a sharp knife or potato peeler.

BEANS prefer a sunny situation, preferably with some shelter, as the leaves are prone to wind damage. THEY like a well-dug, well-drained, compost-enriched soil. We dig in barrow-loads of compost and this usually lasts the growing season. A SIDE dressing of fertiliser around flowering time can increase yield and quality, but too much nitrogen fertiliser will result in overly leafy growth and less beans.

IN THE North Island and Nelson, beans can be sown from mid-october, with a later sowing in DecemberJanuary to extend the harvest season. In other areas, it's best to sow when all danger of frost is past, or start seeds indoors. Sow in peat pots, ready to plant, as they resent transplanting. DON’T soak seeds overnight, as you may do with others, as it can encourage them to rot. OUTDOORS, seeds are sown 2-3cm deep, and 7-15cm apart.