As a gardening and landscaping expert, I have had personal experiences with scarlet runner beans and can confidently answer the question: Do scarlet runner beans like heat?
Scarlet runner beans, unlike pole beans and bush snap beans, actually prefer cool summer weather. This means that in high temperatures, the blossoms on scarlet runner bean vines tend to drop without forming pods. This can be quite disappointing for gardeners, as the purpose of growing beans is to harvest the delicious pods.
In my own garden, I have noticed that scarlet runner beans thrive in cooler temperatures. When I have planted them in the early spring, while the weather is still cool, they have produced abundant pods and vigorous vines. However, in the heat of the summer, the plants struggled and failed to produce a satisfactory yield.
It is important to note that scarlet runner beans are best seeded in the spring, before the weather becomes too warm. This allows the beans to establish themselves and start growing while the temperatures are still favorable for their development. If planted too late in the season, scarlet runner beans may struggle to set pods and may not reach their full potential.
To provide the best growing conditions for scarlet runner beans, it is beneficial to choose a location in your garden that receives partial shade during the hottest part of the day. This can help mitigate the effects of high temperatures and prevent the blossoms from dropping prematurely. Additionally, providing a trellis or support structure for the vines can help keep them off the ground and allow for better air circulation, which can also aid in reducing heat stress.
In my own garden, I have found that planting scarlet runner beans near taller plants that can provide some shade, such as sunflowers or corn, has helped to create a microclimate that is more suitable for their growth. This has resulted in healthier vines and a higher yield of pods.
Scarlet runner beans do not particularly like heat. They prefer cool summer weather, and high temperatures can cause their blossoms to drop without forming pods. It is best to seed scarlet runner beans in the spring, while the weather is still cool, to ensure optimal growth and yield. Providing partial shade and a support structure for the vines can also help mitigate the effects of heat and maximize the success of growing scarlet runner beans.
