Sorry but my entry 'disappeared' when I uploaded!
Here's my second attempt!
I visited the plot on Monday afternoon mainly to plant my runner beans out.
First I had to put the canes into my frame after hoeing and weeding the patch. I should have taken a photo to show you but the setup encourages the beans to grow outwards and the beans hang down outside and can be picked a bit more easily. I will try to post a photo tomorrow.
This year I am planting mainly 'Moonlight' as I have found them more tender than some others though the season is a bit short. I saved seed last year so about half the plants are from saved seed and the other half are from a packet of Sutton's mixed runner beans that contained 'Moonlight', 'Firestorm' and 'Tenderesse'. While most of the row is 'Moonlight' there was space for 4 plants of each of the others at the far end. That way I shall get to try them but I will have to save my 'Moonlight' seed from the other end from them to reduce the chance of cross pollination.
I watered and protected them against Red Legged Partridges taking out the growing points with a mesh just over a foot high round the bottom of the canes and plants. Unfortunately I forgot to sprinkle a few slug pellets around so I hope there are some plants left when I go back tomorrow!
I also got the frame ready for my climbing french beans as they are ready to plant out as well.
Then I did the hoeing as I promised myself I would do every visit, clearing weeds from round my onions. I also pulled up the two remaining spring cabbages (I have waited in vain for them to heart up) to take home as spring greens as they were overshadowing some of the onions.
There was one asparagus shoot worthy of cutting; the rest I will leave to help the plants to strengthen up for next year.
The last remaining spinach beet plant growing alongside the path was lifted and the stalks cut off for a last crop of leaves. There was also a good picking of rhubarb from both of my plants, a 'Timperley Early' and another standard (Victoria?).
Here's my second attempt!
I visited the plot on Monday afternoon mainly to plant my runner beans out.
First I had to put the canes into my frame after hoeing and weeding the patch. I should have taken a photo to show you but the setup encourages the beans to grow outwards and the beans hang down outside and can be picked a bit more easily. I will try to post a photo tomorrow.
This year I am planting mainly 'Moonlight' as I have found them more tender than some others though the season is a bit short. I saved seed last year so about half the plants are from saved seed and the other half are from a packet of Sutton's mixed runner beans that contained 'Moonlight', 'Firestorm' and 'Tenderesse'. While most of the row is 'Moonlight' there was space for 4 plants of each of the others at the far end. That way I shall get to try them but I will have to save my 'Moonlight' seed from the other end from them to reduce the chance of cross pollination.
I watered and protected them against Red Legged Partridges taking out the growing points with a mesh just over a foot high round the bottom of the canes and plants. Unfortunately I forgot to sprinkle a few slug pellets around so I hope there are some plants left when I go back tomorrow!
I also got the frame ready for my climbing french beans as they are ready to plant out as well.
Then I did the hoeing as I promised myself I would do every visit, clearing weeds from round my onions. I also pulled up the two remaining spring cabbages (I have waited in vain for them to heart up) to take home as spring greens as they were overshadowing some of the onions.
There was one asparagus shoot worthy of cutting; the rest I will leave to help the plants to strengthen up for next year.
The last remaining spinach beet plant growing alongside the path was lifted and the stalks cut off for a last crop of leaves. There was also a good picking of rhubarb from both of my plants, a 'Timperley Early' and another standard (Victoria?).
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