stringy runner beans

[knowlittle]

The runner beans we choose last year were advertised as none stringy and although they were health and grew very well, when cooked they were almost uneatable very stringy. Is there a special way of cooking them to avoid this problem.

[Hawkwalk]

if you dont pick them young they can still go stringy. You can also cut the sides off (the join down the centre of the bean). That is the stringy part so if removed it helps.

[NazNomad]

Which variety were they?

[Whoever]

You probably let them grow too big. Don't think you will get delicious tender beans if you let them grow to the same size as you see them sold in the supermarkets where growers let them grow bigger in weight so they can get a better price for their crop. the secret is to pick them when they are no longer than about eight inches long.

If you pick them at this stage they should only need to be topped and tailed as the stringy side of the bean will not yet have developed.

[rowanwitch]

more water pick small feed well

[hammerman]

Be interesting to know what variety it was. Im going to try "Lady Di" this year which is supposed to be completely stringless.

As mentioned, picking when the pods are younger is usually the solution