Runner Bean roots
Grew my own for the first time last year and am hooked. But no matter how much I read there are still some really stupid questions I can't find an answer to?
For example: everywhere I read it says the roots of peas and beans are good for the soil. I'm only now clearing my runner bean foliage and digging the soil and the roots look like ginseng. My question: Should I chop these up and add to the soil? Would they be better added to the soil where I'm about to put other crops?
Second stupid question: I know it is better to rotate crops but the spot I put the beans in is perfect for climbing and I don't have a lot of space. If I work manure into the soil am I OK to grow them another year in this spot?
thanks in advance for your patience!
i put runners in the same bed for 3 years.leave the roots in,they have there own nitrogen i believe
Hi These can be grown for several years in the same piece of ground and have seen permanent structures to tie the beans in place, this was also done in Victorian gardens, It will increase some of the insect pests which could be the governing facture to move the beans else where.
With the runner bean haulms just dig over and leave in the soil ,the root nodules will fall off eventualy and release the nitrogen( which the bacteria have been producing as the plants were growing in the previous season).
Hi - leave 'em in. The roots have nodules that store nitrogen absorbed from the air, giving it to the soil - clever, eh? Rotation: Don't be tempted to keep growing anything in the same place for more than 3 years because of disease risks; especially potatoes. Beans aren't such a risk, but still, better to be inconvenienced than a year's crop ruined. Cheers - C