I am wondering the same exact question and also live in zone 7, but in NC USA. How do these 2 vines compare with each other? I intend to try Scarlet Runner Beans for the first time this year, and am an old hand at growing Hyacinth Bean each year. What is the big difference? I suppose the Scarlet Runners are edible, for one thing. Come on, let's get some answers. Perhaps the Hyacinth Beans are much more vigorous. I am guessing. The HB vines go absolutely crazy and the flower stalks are SO large and impressive! I cannot imagine any edible bean getting 20 feet long and having such large flower clusters. Perhaps that is the difference? Anyone else? It may be like comparing apples and oranges?

Runner beans will rot if too wet. I sow them indoors in April or outdoors in late May and water only sparingly. Do not presoak as they risk rotting. Don't winter sow. They need warmth. If you can get them started it may be possible to get a crop as they grow very fast in warm conditions. Mine started cropping about three weeks ago and it's been about 60f here. No way has the soil been 65 - 70! You could also consult the legumophiles on the Bean, pea and legume forum.

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Speaking of Malabar spinach, I've grown both the red and green stem and although the red stemmed seems to be more readily available, (maybe because it is more colorful) I liked the green stem variety more. In my experience the leaves were bigger, tastier and it didn't seem to reseed so freely. Has anyone else had experience with both? Some people harvest a whole stem and pull the leaves off, but I usually cut only the leaves off and the stems would sprout more leaves. The leaves are big and shiny and easy to harvest and it doesn't seem like there would be a problem mistaking Hyacinth bean leaves for Malibar spinach leaves, but you might get better production if the Hyacinth vine did not over shadow the Malabar or vice versa. Malabar spinach is GREAT stir fried with olive oil and fresh garlic. Here is a link that might be useful: Green malabar spinach ...