Runner Bean Calculator — Canes, Spacing & Yields

The RHS recommends 2.5m (8ft) canes or hazel poles. Pushed about 0.3m into the ground, that leaves roughly 2.2m of growing height — enough for runner beans, which routinely climb 2–3m if not pinched out at the top.

Sow indoors in late April, or plant out / direct sow after the last frost (usually late May in most of the UK).

Each plant yields roughly 0.5 kg of beans over the season. A family of four typically needs 20-30 plants for regular harvests.

A wigwam is a circle of 6-8 canes tied together at the top, forming a teepee shape. They are decorative and space-efficient.

Runner beans grow 2–3 metres tall, so the RHS specifies 2.5m (8ft) canes — about 0.3m sunk into the soil leaves ~2.2m of growing height. Tie the tops to a horizontal cane or string and add crossbars for extra stability in exposed plots.