Grow show stopping runner beans with RHS Runner Bean Benchmaster Seeds by Mr Fothergills. This high quality British bred variety is famed for its smooth straight pods that can reach an impressive 40cm in length which makes it a favourite for exhibition benches and keen veg growers who love a talking point on the plot.
Benchmaster is not just about size. The pods have excellent flavour and a tender texture so they are every bit as good in the kitchen as they are in the show ring. Pick them young for the finest eating quality or let a few pods grow on to full exhibition length when you want to impress. Either way, plants are strong and productive and deliver heavy crops over a long season.
Red flowers cover the vines and attract bees and other pollinators which adds a burst of colour to wigwams, arches and fences. This makes Benchmaster a lovely choice for gardeners who want structure and height as well as a generous harvest.
This variety has been awarded the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit for reliability and performance in UK conditions. As part of the Mr Fothergills seed range produced in partnership with the RHS, it has been tested for vigour, yield and flavour so you can sow with confidence.
Sow indoors from April to May in pots of moist compost or sow direct outside from May once the soil has warmed and the risk of frost has passed. Place 2 seeds together, spacing plants about 30cm apart in rows 45cm apart. Provide sturdy canes, netting or a frame and train the plants as they grow. Keep soil moist and weed free and feed regularly once flowering starts to support pod production. With good care you can harvest from July through to October.
Each packet contains 40 seeds, enough for a handsome row or an impressive teepee of climbers. Combine these seeds with AllotMate Essentials plant supports, jute twine and soil conditioners to get the very best from this exhibition standard variety.
