Saturday 30 January 2010

Broad beans

I sowed these at the back end and they seem to have survived the snow and ice so today I've put up some roadwork netting to give them some protection from the wind. I've got a brand new 50 metre roll of this stuff which came out of a skip. Happy days.

8 comments:

Joan said...

Hi Simon,
I like your blog and love the windbreak idea.
I'll definately be back and keep in mind that not all us Americans are barmy or nasty! :) I don't think you'll be needing that bomb shelter anytime soon (just an opinion), but it looks like a great tool shed. I think if I had one I'd paint it pale green.
ps. loved that bungie jumping bird feeder too. how'd you make that??

Tracy Zhu said...

Hi Joan,

As a fellow American, I also have tried to reassure Simon that we're not all horrid nasty people, and that he has nothing to fear from our WMDs (unless, of course, we find oil in his garden.) Anyway, I checked out your blog & I like it. I live in Puget Sound, sounds like you're from there as well. Happy gardening.

Simon, I'm jealous of your beans. I've nothing left but kale.

Simon said...

Hi Joan, thanks for visiting, I love Americans really, it's just some of your leaders are a bit suss - rather like ours! I'm not sure how the bird feeder was made as it was a present.

Hi again Tracy, the beans won't be ready till May but I'm trying to give them every encouragement! Been looking at your photos of China, looks amazing.

Joan said...

Hi Tracy, I checked out your blog and loved the pix. I lived in Hong Kong and you brought back memories. BTW I tried to comment but couldn't. Comment on my blog and I'll help you with that as I fixed similar problem on mine.

Simon, lest you think we are using your blog to converse, perish the thought...I couldn't seem to reach her any other way. Actually I have a ? for you...are your broad beans pod eating beans or do you use them like lima beans? Have you tried Scarlet runner beans...and if so are those eaten like lima beans? I grew them once as BBC Gardeners World magazine said how wonderful they are but furry pods??? Really? How can anyone eat that? Do you use them just for looks and hummingbirds?

Simon said...

Hi again Joan, sorry about the delay replying, I'm in Australia at the moment; we eat just the beans usually, not the pods although you can eat them whole when they're very young and small. And yes I do grow runner beans which are eaten whole (well sliced actually)and no we don't get humming birds in the UK!

Joan said...

No hummingbirds in the UK??? Wow I had no idea obviously...live and learn.

Tracy Zhu said...

Simon, get back home and get in the garden NOW! Shame on you for being all warm and no doubt tanned and relaxed and pleased with yourself. No grubbing about in the dirt for you, which I did all day today getting my beds ready to go and no one to encourage me except some worms. I'm feeling a little bitter today. Enjoy your Fosters or whatever.

Simon said...

LOL! Yes I've had a very warm and relaxing time but I'm back now Tracy, cold it is too. No doubt I'll soon be lashing myself into a frenzy out on the plot you'll be glad to hear.