Not many, and some of them are not exactly prime specimens, but enough for a two-person serving, and very welcome at this late stage of the year.
Do you remember that the other day there was some discussion in Comments about the viability of over-wintering Runners, and I said that sometimes the plants form a sort of tuber a bit like a Dahlia? Well, when removing the beans I found these:-
There are four plants in the picture, and the scissors are just there for size comparison. I reckon those tubers would be capable of storing a fair bit of energy, and would probably have survived into next year if I had let them.
This one looks almost like a Sweet Potato.
If I zoom in a bit you can see some of the Nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots too:-
Anyway, the Bean bed is cleared now, so I will be able to prepare it for the next crop. I will add some well-rotted compost to it (probably at Christmas time), fork-in some Growmore multi-purpose fertiliser and allow it to rest for a few months. With the intensive-cultivation raised bed system, deep digging is not necessary. Following my crop-rotation plan, this bed will host the roots next year - beetroot, parsnips etc.
In the background you can see the Aparagus fern just beginning to turn yellow. In a couple of weeks' time I will cut it all down to about two inches above ground level. At the left are the netted Brassicas, with Endives underplanted beneath them. And just look at all those leaves that need raking up!
I see you use the crop rotation as I do. After the leguminous vegetables, that did the good job fertilizing the soil, you can plant vegetables from the cabbage family. They require lots of food, I mean, a very fertile soil.
ReplyDeleteIt must be unprecedented to harvest Runner Beans this late in the year. Thank you for showing the bean tubers, most interesting. The Asparagus ferns are lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt would be an interesting experiment to try and overwinter those tubers and see what they produce next year.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm just discovering this detail about my scarlet runner beans. I have a hoop house in Michigan, and this past fall, found the tubers, and wondered what the heck they were. Maybe next fall will try saving them til spring. Maybe have earlier beans that way?
DeleteI love the dried beans in chili! They plump up to the size of the end of my middle finger, and are nice and creamy, and a dark color to contrast nicely with the soup.
Hi Peggy; I did try over-wintering some, but they didn't re-sprout the next year, even in the shelter of my garage, so presumably it was too cold for them. I agree with you on the dried beans, though I usually only get a few from the Runners, because we eat them as fresh pods. I use Borlotti beans for drying, mostly.
DeleteI hate it when something finishes. I cut down one bed of broad beans yesterday. But then, I was able to plant something else straight away.
ReplyDeleteI decided to leave three or four runner bean plants in to see if they re-shoot next year as part of my new regime for perennial planting. I'll keep you posted.
ReplyDeleteMark, it's looking messy there. Asparagus fern all over the place, leaves everywhere... tut tut... where is the straight line, pristine garden we have all come to love?!
ReplyDeleteWhen you cut down the asparagus fern, would you make sure to document it? I'm still very hazy on asparagus details :)
Scarlet Runner beans are known as 7 Year Beans in Australia. I leave mine in a permanent position and just give them a bit more compost before growing season the following year. What you have dug up are in fact the roots from which you would get 3 more years beans. I also grow the smaller round stringless beans which are an annual crop. My 7 year beans have a permanent position and I replace them after the third crop but they probably would keep going as a neighbour has beans in that are in their ninth year.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
DeleteHow interesting! I love my SR beans, and just discovered their tubers last fall, despite years of growing these lovely beans to eat fresh. And for the first time I used the dried beans in my chili. I love how BIG they are and dark to contrast with the chili! For sure I am going to try using tubers to start them in spring. This is Michigan, so I will have to overwinter inside. Any suggestions for doing this?
Wow, the asparagus ferns are huge! Mine aren't nearly that big. I believe my cats like to play with mine :(
ReplyDeleteThose bean tubers are amazing - I had no idea they did that! I wonder if it's worth replanting one as an experiment to see what happens?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Mark. The asparagus is so beautiful. The leaves are mulch I presume. You know how I love leaf mulch.
ReplyDeleteThose runner beans look prime specimens to me...I don't know about them being green I know I am ;D
ReplyDeleteFascinating, I never new they could form tubers like that. I'm glad you shared this and will have to check and see if mine did the same.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great experiment you might change the way we grow beans.
ReplyDeleteThe asparagus fern is feathery and must be wonderful swishing in the wind. PS I personally wouldn't complain too much about the leaves, be excellent leaf mulch.
ReplyDelete