When it comes to saving beans like Zebra Pole and Scarlet Runner beans, patience is required. In order to save these beans to store much longer in jars, you need to wait for the pods to completely dry. For us this usually happens right at the end of the season. Pole bean pods are best harvested when it is young and tender. You can also wait for the beans to form and allow the pods to completely turn brown and dry. If you harvest in between when the pods have developed and still green, it will be

Watch the latest video in our Hillingdon in Bloom series - to learn how to make a frame to grow runner beans: ⛏ Prepare the ground by clearing the area of any weeds and stones, then rake over to make the area level. 🌿 Push 2 rows of bamboo canes at regular intervals firmly into the soil and join at the top with one long pole - tie each pair of poles to this. 🌱 Plant a runner bean plant at the base of each pole and firm the soil around the plant. Tie the plant in loosely to guide it up the pole