I thought a photo of my first picking of runner beans for this year including my last planting for this year would be of interest. I usually carry on picking well into September from a late planting
(http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1198/1002846v.th.jpg) (http://img188.imageshack.us/i/1002846v.jpg/)
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That would be nice to see.
Is this quite a late first picking for you, this year?
I seem to remember beans being ready earlier in previous years. I only got my first few French beans on Friday.
They look lovely Beans.
Normally about the end of July when I first start picking.
Oh I wonder if I've mis-remembered previous years. Or maybe when I was in London, that microclimate helped with early harvest. I think I've got to accept that things take longer here, and those sea 'breezes' don't help!
Whereabouts are you, Betula?
Well moved now but was in the Birmingham area :)
I asked for the information, but not sure what to do now I know !! ;D
I suppose further north will make a small difference, but then inland and sheltered. So... well, i have drawn no conclusions! ;D ;D
It has been a funny year this year,many people saying the beans are slow to set,if everything looks as though progressing OK don't worry.
Yes this year is later we had such a cold wet winter I think the soil took longer to warm up and even when plants were started in the greenhouse they did not get away as quick as normal.
Picked our first mixed collection on Saturday.runner and climbing french.I don't want too many just yet as my freezers are full to the brim.
picked some enormous climbing french and purple podded yesterday, they were hiding at the bottom of the plants ;D
My runners are nowhere near ready, mind you I had some lovely dwarfs with my tea. ;D ;D ;D
Picked 2 runners today. Will be ages before there's more. But I have a mountain of french beans, both dwarf and climbing. Your beans look lovely laurieuk, envious coz runners are my favourite.