Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt is the semi-ironic response to many a tale of woe, usually prefaced by Tell me about it! which in this context usualy means the exact opposite: please don't tell me any more about your personal disasters.
But I will tell you about our runner beans. This year, we really have been there with our beans.
As I prepared to uproot an unproductive row I worked out what had gone wrong. So here is my little list of what not to do.
Climate. It has been hard. Our spring was very cold. Runner beans, unlike broad beans, are not native to Europe. We propogated them in the greenhouse. There is always a wait until the last frosts are over. Perhaps we waited too long.
After that it was hot and dry. Beans are thirsty plants. We did not water them enough.
Nurture. This year we made a big mistake. Normally we fill bean trenches with well rotted kitchen waste and plant out beans on top. This year we did not allow enough time for it to rot down. Result - germination of Jerusalem Artichoke peelings and potatoes. These competed with the beans and almost choked them out of existence.
Seed. We have been saving seed ever since we got here. But unlike an older friend who selects his best pods, we did not save the healthiest beans. We ate them. You reap what you sow.
New year, new season, fresh beginnings. Thank goodness we have time to learn.
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