Bean Bed
Spring Planting in the Bean Bed
| Produce | When Planted | Expected First Growth | Expect Harvest |
| Runner Beans 20 rows | 12th May | Planted as plants | July |
Did you know that....?
Runner bean seeds are planted into the soil and germination takes place two weeks later. As the plant grows to about 1.8m high it is supported by canes. Red flowers appear during the summer from which the beans grow after they are pollinated by bees and insects. These beans look similar to the French beans but their pods are flat and long.
Jerusalem Artichokes, like potatoes produce tubers in the ground. These edible tubers are elongated and knobbly. They are very disease resistant and can fight off many weeds. The plant can grow to over 2 metres tall and if the plant flowers are cut back they produce more of these tubers.
Jerusalem Artichokes have no real link with Jerusalem. They come from North America and were brought over to Europe by the French Explorer Samuel de Champlain who likened their taste to the globe artichoke.
Jerusalem Artichokes are often eaten by diabetics as they contain the sugar inulin which helps moderate blood sugar levels in the body.