WIPEOUT

It was a bleak time in Narraghmore this morning, the transplanted beans (broadbeans, French beans, runner beans) were wiped out; swept away to Carlow in fact. My first allotment casualty. After weeks of caring, watering and talking to the bloody beans, they did not survive the transplantation or the Athy wind. All that is left is canes and string. It's tough but I'm not going to give up. I've planted bean seedlings that were left over, here's hoping for second time lucky. 

Full of beans

Next up was the broadbeans and French beans. The beds had been well-manured and tilled the weeks previously so the soil was prepared. And like the runner beans I had sowed some in seed trays weeks previously. 

So another array of wigwams quickly went up (I was fast becoming an expert!) and again I sowed some seeds alongside the constructions. 

Harvesting of all the beans will take place in about two/three months, ideally when the pods are about half and inch in diameter. However, I fear the wigwams may not stand the test of our Irish weather. Indeed I will keep you posted.

Cane and able

"Have you got your runner beans in yet," asked the lady in my local shop as I bought the papers. "I've no plans to do a runner, as today is the day," I grinned. (I know a terrible pun but I couldn't help myself). She then gave loads of advice on the bean machine of wigwams and manure, and tips on growing French beans, runner beans and broadbeans. A five-minute walk ended up a 30-minute class! So despite the rain, hailstones and the cutting wind, I was now full of renewed enthusiasm and ventured out to Narraghmore with my bamboo shoots and spade in hand. 

Doing a runner:

I had given the runner beans a head start by sowing them in seed trays weeks previously. They  grow to about six feet high and, like us all, definitely need support. The wigwam is the most preferred option I'm told. So the caning began in earnest. 

My hands turned purple with the cold as I knotted the twine around four to five bamboo canes. I transplanted the runner beans at the foot of the canes and sowed more seeds directly below. 

I also twisted some twine around the canes, which will give the growing plants more to grad hold of. Other methods are to erect a criss-cross of canes, which looked complicated, but I tried a variation anyway! 

Seeds of happiness

My leeks and onions have sprung and are not dead as I feared last week. My runner beans continue to live up to their name and will need to be planted into bigger pots shortly. All the others - kale, lettuce, peas, broadbeans, spinach and herbs are growing to plan. Once this cold spell passes, I'll start planting them out and begin again with a new batch of seeds. 

My seed potatoes have arrived. They are currently in egg cartons in my utility room and getting ready sprout. Once the sprouts appear, they'll be ready for planting in my fresh cultivated soil!