Stringing Up Pole Beans

We planted two types of pole beans this year: Runner Cannellini Beans and Hidatsa Shield Beans. Both beans can be eaten green and both beans are great for drying for soups, stews, baked beans, and bean salads! The Cannellini had its origins in Argentina, then made its way to Italy before coming to America. It is full of body and a nutty flavor that is perfect for making soups. The Hidatsa Shield Bean came from North America in the Dakotas. It is one of the three sisters planted with corn and squash by Native Americans. Both beans can grow as tall as 12 feet high. We are hoping our 10 foot posts will support their climbing habits ad they will still produce plenty for eating fresh and for drying.

We need a ladder to work with the ten foot posts! Balancing a post driver on the end of the tall green posts should be a requirement for any circus act! The post driver is made of solid steel and weighs 20 pounds. Tim pounded the posts into the ground until the foot was below the surface of the soil. Each post is made of steel and very strong. 

Nearing the end of the bean row, and finished pounding in the posts. We sure like the ladder that can adjust in all different sizes and shapes. It can be used straight up and down or it can be used bent in half. Just make sure each pin is properly placed before using the ladder.  Once the posts were all driving into the ground, it was time to put the cross bars up.

We used 2" x 2" x 8' wooden bars and tied them to the top of the T post with twine. They are surprisingly sturdy. Each cross bar was mounted and secured, a cross run of twine was tied to each T post at the bottom of the post.  Then it was time to begin lacing line for the beans to climb.   

We laced 15 lines over and under in each section. Over the top wooden bar, under the twine at the bottom.  Just as we were finishing the last section,  we ran out of twine.  At this point, we were going to have to finish the nearly completed project in the morning. While adjusting the lines of twine, the bottom cross line snapped!  There goes all of the work.  It wasn't lost,though   

The wind picked up and tossed the unsecured twine lines in an effort to remind us we are not in charge! 

Finally, the next day we were able to finish the twine runners.  The beans were more than ready to start climbing the twines. Now they seem to be growing and climbing before our eyes! It sure makes picking easier, too! How do you support your pole beans?

Raspberries Part 1

One of the local farmers offers a U-Pick Raspberry Patch and we were lucky enough to hit it early in the morning while it was still cool and the berries were abundant! There is a little table that says "honor system" put your money in the box! Flats are provided, pint sized boxes that fit inside of the flats are provided and even buckets with strings are available for use.

Between the two of us, we picked three flats of raspberries. There are plenty of berries now for freezing, jamming, baking, and eating fresh!

Three flats totaled just under 20 pounds of berries and they are full of the best flavor. Raspberries keep best will cooled in the refrigerator immediately and stored in shallow containers.

After picking we drove over to Jacksonville on the way home. We stumbled across The C Street Bistro which is a little restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and all foods purchased from local farmers. They offer brunch all day long and strong delicious coffee!

We arrived fresh from the fields complete with stained fingers and barn boots! It doesn't matter as the usual dress code for restaurants in Southern Oregon is "come dressed"!

We sat outside and enjoyed fresh scrambled eggs with house made sausage and herb roasted potatoes. The food was really amazing and the potatoes were seasoned with a BBQ rub and rosemary that really made a delicious combination.

After our brunch, we were revitalized for the drive home through the Applegate Valley where we saw the Paraglider World Chamionships! It was picturesque to see the hang gliders circling over the tops of mountains at about 5,000 feet in the many different colors. There is always a treat to see around every country corner. Remember to get off the interstate!

Hilling Potatoes

Potatoes produce more potatoes if the soil is "hilled" up around the main stem or stalk of the potato plant. Potatoes are actually tubers and the taller the soil, the more taters that will grow on the plant! They actually grow up the stalk. So today was hilling day for the potato plants. Some of the plants are budding up to bloom. If you look closely toward the middle of the row of potatoes you can see the three bushes that had an extra helping (the wheelbarrow spilled) of composted chicken manure. It looks like the whole garden would love some extra spillage!

In order to hill the potatoes, the soaker hose was moved away and extra soil was raked up to the base of the plant. There is 8-12 inches of soil that form the hills. Some of the lower leaves were buried in the hill and weeds were pulled along the way. The plants were heavily watered yesterday. The soaker hose was replaced next to the stem of the potato plants and we are hoping for a bumper crop of yukon gold and red potatoes!

Early Summer Morning

 

The old rose bush has created the perfect blush again this year. The pink is so pretty especially in the early morning. 

 Purple mountains majesty...

 
Early morning feeding for the sheep and goats. Jack Decker the local sheep shearer will arrive tomorrow.



The vegetable garden is taking root and we have discover a busy farmer's solution to weed management: black tarp moved in rotation of the aisles!




Purple haze...lavender ready for jelly making.

Happy Summer!