Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Beans and other things

"What shall I learn of beans or beans of me? I cherish them, I hoe them, early and late I have an eye to them; and this is my day's work."
from Walden


And the beans are, indeed, up. I don't hoe them, however. This pale beauty is only one of the rows of large Italian pole beans that constitute my main bean interest.  Although I believe I sound like I've become slightly unhinged, there are few tastes that I find as thoroughly satisfying as this bean. Hot, cold, dressed and plain, I love these beans. While I've done everything I know to safeguard them, with bird protection and iron-based snail poison, I'm not confident enough to have planted them all. I kept back some of my stock to fill in any nibbled beyond survival.

The yellow wax bush beans are also emerging, but I didn't get any good pictures of them. Imagine a triple row of them in front of the six sweet peppers I broke down and bought and put in early, just because I was feeling optimistic. (Also because I started no plants of my own this year.)


Everywhere I look, things are stretching out to the lengthening days. We've had what I consider "farmers' rain," that is steady rain at night, followed by clearing days that resolve into very warm afternoons. The garden approves.


Every day for the past four days, the police have called me. Not because of any plant-based violations, but because the bees are swarming and I'm a point person for picking them up. So far, I've gotten another beekeeper to get each one, but I went and set up a new hive just in case they call again. I need to make an equipment order so that I can manage four hives. I wonder if any of the kids at the local high school would like to work on hives with me? I should ask. . .


The Katy apricots are largeish, but few. The tree is showing some alarming signs -- whole twigs wilting with no apparent reason. I hear that apricots are short-lived trees here, susceptible to many diseases.


The transplanted persimmon is showing good health. Maybe next year it will bear?


One of the two Early Girls I bought with the peppers.  The other one is going to the front yard bed, along with a "help yourself!" sign. I'm looking forward to painting that.


Both front yard Blenheims are loaded with baby 'cots. I have high hopes. Apricot everything!

Although the photo is blurry, it's time to break out the spray oil for the Anna apple and get the wooly aphids under control. It's been a very successful method, as far as I can tell, no matter how unorthodox.

Everywhere I go in the garden, I hear hurry, hurry. . . it's time to get things done. Maybe I will, and maybe I won't. It's good to know that some things are managing without me very well.

7 comments:

Annie*s Granny said...

I have visions of things to come. I'm just a month behind you!

Michelle said...

It is indeed swarm season. I heard, then saw, a swarm go by today, but it went up the hillside where I wasn't going to venture so I don't know where it ended up. I hope the girls found a good home.

Green beans or dry beans? I've got both just starting. You are far ahead of me in the tomato and pepper department, I'm just thinking of sowing some seeds now.

Wow, you are brave to put up a "help yourself" sign...

Stefaneener said...

Granny, you may be a month behind in weather but I assure you you are far, far ahead in preparation.

Michelle, I love being in swarms and being near them. I'm not as thrilled at being responsible for them : )

I do need to start some drying tomatoes, as I very much want some.

The sign makes it clear that it's just that bed. Hands off the apricots!

Daphne Gould said...

Granny might be a month behind you but I think I'm two months behind you. I won't plant beans until mid May or so. It depends upon the weather of course. The earliest I've ever planted is about May 1st. And you reminded me that I need to get some wax bean seeds. I didn't see any ones I wanted from Fedco, so I'd better get my Pinetree order in.

Erin said...

Wow, things look great! Still in the 30's at night here and 50's during the day, which is NOT normal! Brrr!

Stefaneener said...

Daphne, I also think we're having an early spring. I need to order popcorn! We so enjoyed ours.

Erin, thank you. We've been having regular weather, if a little warm a little early.

Christina said...

MMmmmmmmm. Apricot everything. You've got me dreamy!