Broad Beans

Broad beans are very prolific, hardy and easy to grow.  They  readily self seed as well if given the opportunity. 

Known as java beans in some countries broad beans are traditionally sown in autumn or spring and are said to prefer cooler weather although they can be just as prolific during a hot summer.  Like potatoes they seem to be one of those crops that at times seems almost indestructible!

Sow : 5 cm deep, 30 cm apart

When : Autumn and Spring. 

Where : Directly into well composted soil.  You can soak the beans for 24 hours beforehand if you wish but it is not necessary if you water the beans in well and keep them well watered. 

Cultivation:  Water regularly.  They prefer part sun. It is preferable to stake the beans or give them some form of support but it is not always necessary. Planting them in a block usually means they will support each other as they grow.  If they do become a little bit overgrown and straggly you can drive in some wooden stakes around them and use twine between the stakes to support the plants. 

Harvesting : You can begin to pick and use the beans young when they are like green beans or allow them to become bigger, pod them and use the larger bean inside although it’s best to use them before they become too large and then tend to become tough with an unpleasant “silvery” taste. As you keep picking more beans will grow.  You can also double pod them if you wish, ergo remove the skin from the inner bean and just use the green bean inside.

Tip:  The old bean stalks make an excellent addition to the compost heap  as a source of nitrogen for the soil. 

Best Varieties: One old variety we always have great success with is the ever-reliable Exhibition Long Pod.

Photos below:

Some broad beans growing at our cottage plus the harvesting of dried bean pods and seeds to replant and a nice colander of freshly blanched broad beans ready to be bagged and frozen. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple Cider Vinegar - A Tonic For Hens

Apple cider vinegar is a traditional tonic for hens.  It's a good idea to add apple cider vinegar to your hen's water for about a week in every month.  The recommended dilution is 2% so if you are using a 10 litre container of water you would add 200 mls of apple cider vinegar to the water.

To make apple cider vinegar for the hens at home next time you are using a good quantity of apples when baking or cooking save the peels, cores, pips and any other apple scraps and let them sit out in a bowl for half an hour or so to oxidize.  Thereafter transfer them to a large glass jar and half fill with the apple scraps.  

Cover the apple scraps with water to about the three-quarter mark of the jar.  Dissolve 2 tablespoons of sugar in warm water for each litre of water covering the apples and stir in.  You can use raw honey instead of sugar. Next take a piece of mutton cloth or cheese cloth and attach it over the lid of the jar firmly with twine or a large rubber band.

Put the jar somewhere warm and dark.  The hot water cylinder cupboard is usually ideal. You need to stop the light getting in which will inhibit the growth of the bacteria.  For the next week or so gently mix the contents with a wooden spoon once a day.  If you can figure out a way to weigh the apples down with a glass container or plate or similar when you first put the contents in the jar you won't need to stir the mixture daily for the first week.

After a week or so, or at the point when the apples are staying at the bottom on their own, use a piece of mutton cloth or cheese cloth to strain the apple scraps out of the liquid.  Discard the apple scraps.  Wash the glass jar in which the apples have been fermenting and return the liquid to the jar.  Re-cover with the mutton or cheese cloth and return the jar to the hot water cylinder cupboard or whatever dark, warm place you have chosen to brew your concoction.

In about 4 to 6 weeks or when the liquid has a vinegary, acidic aroma take out a little with an eye dropper or long handled spoon and taste.  If it still has too much of an alcohol smell and flavour, leave it for another week and then re-check.  If it seems to pack the right vinegar punch when you taste and smell it, the apple cider vinegar is ready to use as a tonic in water for your feathery friends.

Please note :  An imperial quart and a metric litre are about the same amount.  

Vegetable Flowers

Vegetables have some very attractive and interesting flowers at times.  I especially love it when leeks go to seed and form the great big balls which the pollinators love so much.  From our garden at various times...

Broccoli

Red Potatoes

Leeks

Beans

Tomatoes  

Pumpkins

Courgettes

 Cucumbers

                                    White Potatoes