Open a bean trench

Runner beans and sweet peas prefer a moist soil that’s rich in organic matter. A traditional way to grow them is in a bean trench. Often this is dug in the same spot each year, which goes against the idea of crop rotation but it means that, over several years, the soil is greatly improved. Take out a trench that’s at least as deep as the spade blade and fill this with kitchen waste, manure and compost over winter. The excavated soil is left beside it and will be improved by frosts over winter. Add some lime now too, which will benefit the beans when the trench is filled again in spring.