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PtePike[_3_] · 03-06-2010, 05:31 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

wrote in :

In article fBnNn.67816$8g7.21113@hurricane,
~Brian~ wrote:
I was wondering what all the thoughts were about pinching out the tops
of beans when they reach the top of the bean poles?
Last year I let them run amok, and they seemed to get really bogged
up. Im using 6 foot poles and would be glad of any advice on this. :-)

I use a cage and persuade them to go over the top. The expression
"beans coming out of my ears" is nothing more nor less than the
truth ....

Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

I use a cage and persuade them to go over the top. The expression
"beans coming out of my ears" is nothing more nor less than the
truth ....

Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

When you say bogged up what do you mean? overgrown with pods?
I have only been growing them for a couple of years and as I see it they
are the least labour intensive veg in the garden if well watered, and I
have not nipped the tops

If you let some of the beans mature and dry them you will have a great veg
(pulse to be more accurate)for thickening stews and casseroles in winter
when things in the average garden are very scarce. Of course you have to
soak dried beans first.

We in our house love any dried bean, boiled and soft, borlotti beans are my
favourite and butter beans , I cannot remember the variety. Use them as you
would potatoes or rice, very very healthy indeed.

My dad used to grow 2 lots of the same variety in different parts of the
garden, the first was for picking when young to encourage new growth and
the other was to leave until maybe 18" long for drying and also for next
years seed.

Nick Maclaren above said it about beans and ears, and I have found it to be
absolutely correct.

A word of warning though, it may get a bit windy in the undergarments!

Hope you get what youre aiming for I have my fingers crossed for you.
PtePike