All systems go, Bits and Bobs.

[old codger]

A lovely sunny day ,just set out eighty runner bean plants in the Lottie. Then went back and set another seventy five in pots in the green house,ready for a bit later on.

[WestHamRon]

What is it with runner beans in Bedfordshire?

[Monika]

What on earth do you do with the produce of 155 runner bean plants, Old Codger? Assuming they are as prolific as most runner beans seem to be, you must have a freezer just dedicated to runner beans .... Or do you sell them?

[old codger]

Yes Monika,Ido sell them on my little vegetable stall at week ends,I always have a little challenge with OH to see who gets the most beans.

[Primrose]

Old codger, I bet you sell your beans In first class condition. The problem with buying them commercially in supermarkets is that growers seem to sell by weight so beans are always too big and stringy. To find somebody who sells them in excellent condition,
,not too big or stringy , as you would,pick them yourself must be a delight. .

[old codger]

That's true Primrose, and the people that buy them come back again the next week for more,it is very satisfying to hear there comments.which makes the task more enjoyable to do

[oldherbaceous]

I'll remember those words Codger, when it's chucking it down with rain and you are out there trying to pick them.

[alan refail]

A thick, warm, all-enveloping fog here this morning. But I did get my first strawberries

[Monika]

Thank you for your quick reply, OC, about your many runner beans. I agree with Primrose - I bet yours are beautifully fresh and crisp rather than the limp specimen one sees in supermarkets!
Have only just turned on the computer because we worked on the allotment all day, mainly planting out , including lots of broad beans and especially sunflowers.

[Cider Boys]

I planted some runner beans to-day, they were Streamline, the first time I have grown that variety. When I used to grow I always planted Enorma and they were very reliable. Hope Streamline are as good as Enorma as I chose them because the Streamline seed was half the price of Enorma.

Barney

[oldherbaceous]

Afternoon Barney, hope all is well down your neck of the woods?

My main lot of runner beans are always Enorma, and very pleased with them i am as well. They are always dead reliable, have a pretty good taste, and slow to go stringy. But of course, you already know that, Barney, having already grown them for many years.

I have also tried Streamline, and a very good bean they are as well. You just need a few more beans to the pound, as they are a little thinner.

[peter]

Feels like Chelsea week, hot, humid, sunny with clouds and a hint there could be thunder on the way.

Not my favourite weather for gardening, dripping wet.

Bought four soakaway crates from Travis Perkins this morning, guess what's next.

[Cider Boys]

Hello oldherbacious, interesting what you say about the runner beans. As you probably have gathered I'm a bit of a stick in the mud person and have always stuck to what I know and am familiar with. I just can't understand what came over me to choose anything other than Enorma. It must have been the cheapness of Streamline, I seem to be getting tighter with my pennies as I mature. I have been fortunate now to rent a small patch of land but it is all too late for this year. This is the first year I have not grown any onions, parsnips etc etc.. All I have planted is runner beans, but today I planted out some courgettes and tomato plants but I don't think they will fair very well as the ground is very exposed and it's windy. Also put in some cheap seed potatoes I was offered and a sack of old peas and old broad bean seeds I had left over from a few years ago. Will just have to wait and see if any germinate.

I trust all at Bedfordshire is growing well.

Barney

[Westi]

Hi Cider Boys! I took on my allotment late in season & just planted to fill the land - had a fantastic harvest! OK was a nice year but you are at least a month ahead of me at that time - my philosophy remains - try it! They will either live or die!

Westi

[Cider Boys]

Thanks Westie you have given me hope. The seeds and plants all have two chances either grow and thrive or wither and die.

The land is in a lovely spot, I was watching a Kingfisher perch on a post then dive into a Ryne, there is a pond that attracts little egrets and herons. Only down side is there are badger setts and I saw a group of four roe deer. Bit worried about the deer but as yet no rabbits which is a plus.

It always feels better to be growing something even if it may be all too late rather than not growing anything. I'm always at my happiest when working with soil.

Barney