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I live in the south of the UK, so have quite a mild winter climate. I am curious to know if it's common for runner beans to grow again the following year.

Last spring some of the previous year's runner beans grew again and produced beans. They seemed to have really well-established roots on them too. Some of the previous year's beans did not sprout and the roots had actually rotted in the ground (as I would have expected).

I'm reluctant to dig over the spot where the beans grew last year, yet since it is mid-May now I'd be keen to know whether I need to plant from seed again.

Has anyone else experienced this and how common is this?

runner bean root with new shoot

Update 12/06/2023

For those who might be interested, since I posted this question I've found that just four of the beans have sprung into life. Perhaps one or two more might still. I had about 20 planted last year, so not many survived in that case. Some of the other woody roots I'd dug up had not rotted either, though only a couple had visible shoots on them.

Update 04/07/2023

For you avid bean watchers out there, I thought I'd mention that one or two more roots sprang back in to life in the last few days. These veteran roots are way more vigorous than than new seed, one of which has 5-6 climbing vines erupting from it.

You'd have to decide for yourself whether you're happy to wait for the veteran roots to grow again or whether to plant new seed.

Tally
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    I have no experience with them. This web site says they are perennial. https://thisnzlife.co.nz/11-tips-for-growing-runner-beans-in-new-zealand-why-runner-beans-should-be-a-staple-in-your-garden/#:~:text=Unlike%20most%20other%20beans%2C%20runner,runner%20beans%20grown%20from%20seed. – Boba Fit May 23 '23 at 15:51

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We had a very warm winter in the UK in 2022/3 and spring has also been relatively frost free. So this year in the UKm it is perfectly possible that pods and beans fell into the soil from your last summer's crop and have been carefully growing through to now.

Provided you have enough of the new shoots and they look vigorous there is no need for you to sow any more in the area where they were last year, though only you know how abundant or sparse the new growth is.

If by the end of June, they have failed to thrive, you could always buy some nursery grown plants that will top them up which is what I intend to do in some raised beds I built late last summer which currently need a bit of extra topsoil kindly donated by my generous neighbour.

Incidentally, the least digging you do in your garden, the better your soil health will be - digging aka disturbing the soil structure has only negative effects on garden soil, particularly if you are adding compost in the spring and a good mulch in the autumn. Look up the No-Dig method and Charles Dowding on YT and you might be as surprised as you were with the runner beans at how much less work you need to do and get better outcomes.

Nikki
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    No-dig has been the way to go for years, now. I think rototillers/rotovators will be a thing of the past soon. A woodchip mulch also ensures that you never need fertilize your perennials again unless your soil is terribly infertile. I believe some UK presenter calls it "ramial wood chips". He's about 15 years behind the times... – Jurp May 23 '23 at 20:43
  • Thanks for the suggestion on the no-dig method, I've heard of permaculture, but can't say I know too much about it. I must look into it! Since I kept some seed from last year's crop I could also plant some now as reserves in case they are needed. If not, I can give them away. – Tally May 24 '23 at 16:59