For want of space I planted some of my climbing French beans in a deep, 65cm (26in) terracotta pot, its base filled with gravel and broken bricks for drainage, and followed by heavily-manured compost.
The beans, both yellow and purple have loved it, shooting up and filling out a hand-made cane climbing frame within six weeks. A thorough watering each morning is all they have had in terms of care, and it has freed up the garden frames for a longer than usual show of sweet peas and the possibility of a late stand of runner beans. The pot system has produced the most prolific display of beans to date.
Recipes
The good, the bad - but nothing ugly
Although tomatoes have previously done well in the square, box-lined beds on the sunny side of this garden, last year’s blight has forced them into large pots this year. Despite receiving more shade than usual they are producing as much fruit as they have in the past and have suffered less than usual snail damage. 'Sungold' is currently showing the most fruit, and if I can keep the garden predators away, I should do well with these. All of which is making me wonder if large pots, which allow me firmer control over the soil, water and snail attacks, might be the future of my successful vegetable gardening.
The broad beans came out in late July after a better than usual harvest of 'Aquadulce Claudia'. The 'Grando Violetto' did less well, with smaller pods and a bit of dieback, but were a nevertheless tasty addition to the kitchen this year.
I dug the first potatoes last month, tiny 'Arran Victory' and 'Golden Wonder', which I steamed and ate in all their purity. Then I roasted a few more, simply because I like the texture of roasted or baked new potatoes, which is pleasingly fudgy and soft. Try my new potato & salami recipe at the top of the page
I got mixed results from the peas, with the 'Douce Provence' looking weak against the 'Feltham First' that romped away. But peas are never really about the pods for me, I grow them for the young shoots, which are a current favourite salad ingredient. They have now been ripped out for a planting of mixed brassicas.
Damson delight
One of the great joys of this garden has been the damson tree, which although small is often laden with fruit. This has not been its best year, but last year I managed crumbles and ices galore. I initially planted it for the blossom, which I find the most delicate of all, but its fruit is sublime in a deep purple ice-cream. See my recipe at the top of the page.