Scarlet Runner Beans are pretty great all around, a good plant to try if you have a warm sunny spot, have never grown anything or want to do a fun activity with kids.

And here are the reasons why...

• The seeds are huge, easy to handle and sow.
• They germinate quickly, so you would see them growing in about a week.
• They are best started when the weather is warm - even now would not be too late.
• They give a great show, with bright flowers and big leaves, climbing up to 10' in the right circumstances.
• They love to climb and it's fun to grow them on a trellis, gate, or bamboo supports.
• They have beautiful flowers and also produce beans. You would at least get flowers, and if you are lucky you could also cook the beans you harvest.

Here are a few online sources if you can't find them locally:

• Select Seeds has Runner Bean Scarlet.
• Seed Savers Exchange also has them here.

matt at apartment therapy dot com

The top photo is by Unhindered by Talent, the bottom bean picture is by johnny.hunter via Flickr.