I also saved seed from last year (and from the peas) and have got bumper
crops of both. However a friend who used to do this regularly found that one
year his peas, although giving a good crop, had a very poor taste. He
thought it was because the previous year he had 2 varieties and they got
cross pollenated. Presumably (if he was right) this could also happen to
your beans.

I agree about beans being frozen - they go very soggy and lose their
flavour - does anyone out there know how to successfully freeze runner beans
so that they still retain a "bite"?


Jeanne Stockdale
"Peter Coddington" wrote in message
...
Having read various 'threads' about which variety to purchase . Over
the last 5 years I have never bought packets of beans. I have quite a
number of varieties growing and I decide which is the best flavour and
type to grow for the following year and save some . I leave the pods
until they are large and brown and ready for saving.
By this method I get the best.
Despite watering frequently I am now finding that some 'beans' having
grown to about two inches in length are dropping off.?
Despite this I have a very good crop and it looks like 'beans' for a
lot of meals or freezing some (which I am not keen on)
(This year I have also had a bumper crop of raspberries)
Peter.