🫘🌱 How to Grow Runner Beans (Crusader)

Runner beans are like beanstalks from a fairy tale — they grow super tall and give you long, green beans to pick and eat! The Crusader variety gives you loads of beans and is great for UK gardens. Let’s get growing! 🏰🌱

🧺 What You’ll Need:

• Crusader runner bean seeds (or other runner beans)

• Small pots or toilet roll tubes

• Compost or soil

• Watering can or spray bottle

• Garden space or large pots

• Tall sticks or canes

• String or twine

• Sunshine & smiles! 🌞

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📅 When to Sow

• Indoors: Late April to early May

• Outdoors (direct in soil): Mid to late May, once it’s warmer and no frost is around

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🌱 How to Plant Your Magic Beans

🏠 Starting Indoors (best for early bean growers!):

1. Fill a small pot or toilet roll tube with compost.

2. Make a hole about 2–3cm deep with your finger.

3. Drop in 1 bean seed and cover it up.

4. Water gently and place the pot on a sunny windowsill.

5. Watch the magic happen! Beans start sprouting in 7–10 days.

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🌞 Planting Outside

When your bean plant is about 15cm tall, and the weather is warm (mid-May+):

1. Pick a sunny spot in the garden or use a big pot on a patio.

2. Push canes or long sticks into the ground (make a teepee or wigwam).

3. Plant your bean next to a cane.

4. Tie the stem loosely to the stick to help it climb.

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🌿 Looking After Your Beans

💧 Water

• Water your bean plant every day when it’s dry, especially when it starts flowering.

🧗 Climbing Fun

• Runner beans LOVE to climb — they’ll spiral up the stick all by themselves!

• Help them with soft string if they need a little boost.

🌸 Flowers First!

• Your bean plant will grow pretty red or white flowers first — these turn into beans!

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🫘 Harvest Time!

• Pick your runner beans when they’re about 15–20cm long.

• Use both hands to gently snap them off.

• The more you pick, the more they grow — like a bean-making machine! 🛠️✨

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🍽️ Eating Ideas

• Slice and steam runner beans for dinner.

• Add them to salads or stir fries.

• Or give them a try raw (just check with a grown-up first)!

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🤩 Fun Ideas

• 🌱 Bean Race: Plant one bean each and see whose grows tallest!

• 📏 Bean Ruler: Measure your plant every week and draw it getting taller.

• 🧙 Jack’s Beanstalk Storytime: Read a story while watching your real bean grow.

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💡 Tips & Tricks

• Don’t plant outside too early — beans hate frost!

• Always tie plants gently with soft string — not too tight!

• Give them plenty of sun, water, and kind words (yes, they like compliments 😄).