On 17/10/2011 09:39, Dave Hill wrote:
On Oct 17, 6:19 am, wrote:
On Oct 16, 11:35 wrote:

wrote:
I am fed up with my runner beans blowing over, thus making is a PITA to
harvest. Decided that a couple metal posts fitted in at each end of the
row would work. However any suggestions as to a source of cheap poles? I
see them advertised in the form of Washing |Line Posts, but a bit dear
me thinks. I thought of trying scrap metal merchants, but by the time I
have driven around to find a supply I may well have spent a lot on
petrol. Any other suggestions please?

For the first year ever, our runner beans didn't blow over. And we didn't
use bamboo.

Nick went on a forestry/copicing trip with a friend. I'm struggling to
think what tree they were - is birch a copiced tree? But whatever it was,
they were 'free', and they were the best 'canes' we've ever used.

Probably hazel.

In my youth (around 50 years ago), down in Hastings we used to grow
around half an acre of stick beans(Runner) and used Chestnut poles
1/2" to 2" at the base, we would punch a hole with an Iron bar then
push the poles in and then link the tops with Hop twine, as rough as
hell on the hands. Heavy poles knocked in at each end and if I
remember right about every 60 ft down the rows. No problem with them
blowing over.
Many thanks for all your help and tips. In the end I went to the local
scrap merchant, selected 2 scaffolding poles, went to pay for them to be
told they were free. Very happy with that price!

--
Residing on low ground in North Staffordshire