Beans, peas and more beans

This afternoon I planted fourteen Greek gigantes runner beans. Actually you don’t eat the pods, but the beans are enormous white ones that you can use fresh or dry them for the winter. I love these beans so I can’t wait. It’s been very windy today, so not ideal but I’m keen to get them out of the greenhouse. As you can see they have developed really good roots in the rectangular modules. If the wind sees all their leaves off overnight I have about another 26 plants, so enough to replace them if the worst happens. The tool I use to plant them is called a Hori Hori. I use this brilliant Japanese tool all the time, as a hoe, as a knife, as a trowel. It comes in a neat pouch that I can wear on a belt. This one was a Christmas present and came from Niwaki in the UK.

Spare plants. OK, I sowed too many. What’s new.

Planted.

The Jessy dwarf peas I planted the other day are looking great. Here they are with trimmings from the apple trees ready for them to climb up.

Jessy dwarf mange tout peas.

So now we have Broad beans, Field beans, Borlotti beans, Purple Queen French beans, Greek gigantes beans and Jessy dwarf mange tout peas planted. I suppose I should plant some ordinary peas, but frankly I’m already struggling for space!