Help MBE grow his dinner 2011

Lotus-eater

ausmummy wrote: »

I did this last year and the courgettes thrived. They produced more than the ones that were on their own. This was in large tubs.

I honestly don't understand that, in the middle of my bean wigwam, it's almost completely dark once they grow up the canes.
Maybe your wigwams are more open or something.

annie123

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Maybe your wigwams are more open or something.

I'm guessing must be a 3 sided wigwam of a square so the front bit is open to let in light, or something along those lines.

ausmummy

In a round tub I put four canes in, in a square, tied at the top. Each cane had 2 french beans growing up, so 8 in total. The courgette sprawled out in between the canes. I have a photo somewhere, will try and find it later.

darkrev

I'm inspired enough to try and grow some veg and salad in bags and planters on the windows and outside! wish me luck x

djohn2002uk

Sally_A wrote: »

Plant your beans on the inside of the poles, and cover the outside with panes of glass (double glazing firms will happily part with non standard sized glass), bubble wrap, or even newspaper, held on to the poles with pegs or bulldog clips.

I've seen beans grow at least 4 inches in a day, so make sure the protection doesn't inhibit the growth, but other than that they have their own mini cloche area, and grow happily. Gert dollops of manure in the middle of wigwam also helps, as this steams a bit and keeps temperatures in, beans don't mind fresh manure.

After the risk of frost has passed, you can then plant out a courgette in the middle of the wigwam.

Definitely not the best way to ensure succesful runner beans. They have normally an average 85% germination and you are far more likely to achieve or surpass that by starting them off in pots in a greenhouse or cold frame. Then, when transferring to the garden you have 100% in the row. No overplanting like 2 to a cane resulting in waste and no failures.
Also there is no comparison between a wigwam and a conventional double row, either leaning towards each other at the top or canes vertical which allows more space, light and air between the rows.

CommitedToChange

love the idea of french beans and Courgette together - will defo try this one - thanks

mrbadexample

Ok, I did something. :j

With the Mantis up and running, the vegetable beds are now prepared:





I will be sowing lots of things this weekend. The tubs have been emptied, ready for refilling. All the old compost has been nicely blended into the beds above. They're getting pretty full now, as the Mantis aerates the soil massively, increasing its volume. I'm going to have to start looking for some more boards.

I feel a bit less depressed and lazy now I'm up and running.

I think this weekend is the one to get some tomatoes started too. I was a little bit early with things last year.

mrbadexample

I've left one of the walking stick kale in place. I'm not really sure why yet, but I think it might grow a bit taller yet.

mrbadexample

Oh, and at the top edge of the bed in the first picture (the edge by the fence), I dug down about a foot and chucked in a couple of buckets of well-rotted manure / compost (the first I've used from my compost bin).

That's where the prize-winning runner beans'll be going.

Sally_A

So many comments above - hope I can answer all.

The courgettes planted in the wigwam , beans tend to get leafier as they go up the pole, a courgette plant planted in the middle of the wigwam will tend to grow south to southwest. the wigwam protects rain from the stem of the courgette (cucurbits hate damp on leaves and stems, but love it aroud the roots), but they benefit fro watering the trench.

@ djohn 2002uk - yes I start beans off it pots, so I know the ones I plant out are well on there way (still found 2 cosse violette snailed this morning, in the greenhouse...GRRRR!)

@lotus eater, my courgettes will be sown in a week or so, hiding a few amongst the bean frames, whether they be wigwams or rows, so long as you can protect them with old windows, perspex, bubble wrap etc, the bean sticks make an ideal cloche like frame.