Runner beans. Save time and energy next year. No need to sow runner beans seeds next year if you already have them planted this year. Runner beans are actually tender perennials so will re-grow next year from their underground tubers if kept protected from the frosts. So this autumn, instead of pulling up your runner bean plants you can cut your runner bean plants back to ground level, and cover them with a lovely, cosy, warm mulch such as compost. Hopefully the underground tubers will survive t