Harvest for the world
After last year's courgette bonanza, I thought that you might like an update on the harvest situation in my small raised bed this year. I have to say that so far the courgette harvest is disappointing... only one small courgette, though I have hopes that others are on their way (there are a couple of flowers that I hope will turn into courgettes!). Things are definitely behind where they were this time last year.
I have, however harvested my broad beans. I picked loads of big, fat pods, and greedily ripped them open to reveal the soft, light green beans nestling in the furry interior... but I was disappointed. Many of the pods were completely empty! The picture above shows the sum total of my broad bean harvest. Yup, that's about twenty beans. If that.
Clearly, boasting about my green fingers on my business card was not a good idea:
So, was last year's bumper harvest just beginner's luck? Or are other people finding this year's weather has blighted their crops? Advice (or support) gratefully received!
- Published: 27 August 2010
Hey Kate, looks like you need to get your paintbrush out and pretend to be a honey bee!
Try the broad beans again next year and help the flower pollination along a bit yourself :) This will work for any flowering fruit or veg plant actually.
And with your now promised bumper bean crop for next year, be sure to check out Jamie Oliver's recipe for 'posh beans on toast' it's absolutely awesome! Yum yum yum.
Good luck luv :) Lisa