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Judith in England · 07-07-2013, 11:16 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On Sun, 7 Jul 2013 14:48:14 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Saturday, July 6, 2013 11:42:42 AM UTC+1, Judith in England wrote:
On 5 Jul 2013 23:28:53 GMT, wrote:

Judith in England wrote:

I always pull up the old roots and start again from seed in the next year.

I have been reading that you can actually leave the roots to over-winter.

Any experiences? Worth while?

I thought the entire* point of runner beans was to leave the roots in

so that the nitrogen-fixing nodules of the roots conditioner the soil

ready to make it your brassica* bed next year.

I must admit - I do actually chop off the stem above the roots and leave them

in the ground until next year when I plant the new seedlings.

I had heard what you have said - but I have no idea whether it is true or not,

or whether I am actually doing the correct thing.

I am probably asking for trouble -but I have grown my runner beans in the same

place year after year. None of this crop rotation lark!!!

I am actually trying a couple of courgettes between the rows this year - as

that three foot gap seemed to be wasted!!

Three foot! why?

Jonathan

I had not realised that there was a legal maximum or a legal minimum.

Why not?