Hestia runner beans

[chickenchargrill]

I ordered some seeds and they've included a free pack of Hestia variety runner beans. Anyone got any advice on growing these?

It says sow from May-June and to add some well rotted organic matter. I don't think my compost bin is at the 'well rotted' stage. I'm getting a load of pots and containers with soil off a guy, he's mixed some manure in, would that be okay for them?

[grahamhobbs]

You could just stick them in the ground and they will grow, assuming the slugs don't eat them or the cold doesn't do them in. The weather shouldn't be too bad from now on, but be prepared to give them some protection from threatened frost or cold winds. Personally I'd grow them in rootrainers, harden them off and then plant them out - this way you have a fighting chance against the slugs. Alternatively you can use slug pellets or other measures to keep the slugs away from your seedlings.
Manure, compost, organic matter is a bonus but not essential, watering is.

[Odsox]

I used to grow Hestia when I first moved here before I got a wind break planted.
They are dwarf runner beans and grow very well and taste like runner beans should.
The downside is the pods tend to get mud splashes on them if it rains heavily. The second year I thought I would be clever and mulch them with grass mowings, which did stop the mud but coated every pod with dried grass and the rough skin of the pods made it almost impossible to wipe off.
I would think they are probably ideal in containers.

[chickenchargrill]

I would think they are probably ideal in containers.

That's good, there's nowhere else for them

Thanks for the tips.