We're three days from the average last frost date in N.E. Kansas, so it's garden time for me. How cool is this...last weekend I was given a big batch of bamboo stalks (thank you Marshall and Beth!), and today I used some of them to make poles for my black beans. I'm happy with how they turned out!
I cut 16 stalks into 7' lengths. My black beans won't need all that height, but if they decide to get all Jurassic on me, I'll be ready (please get Jurassic, please get Jurassic). I sunk each stalk in as far as I could, probably 6" or more. Then I tied each set of four with twine as tight as I could up top. 3 rows hold 24 beans in one of my 6'x5' raised beds.
Also today I planted edamame in my second 6'x5' bed. I ended up with 3 rows holding 36 edamame. The third 6'x5' bed holds my 12 potatoes which are all up and looking great!
I still have two smaller raised beds, 5 barrel planters, and one large pot to go. I put a lot of thought into what to plant, so I hope I've made good decisions. This was my criteria:
1) If it can be foraged, don't plant it...use garden space judiciously.
2) Include some high protein and carb plants.
3) Choose plants that provide greater options when preserving and cooking.
4) Plant things that I won't get sick of eating. :)
That seemed the best I could do. Not everything chosen will fall into all four categories, but many will. Hope I don't starve. Just kidding.
Kinda.
Image credit: Cale Ruiz
I cut 16 stalks into 7' lengths. My black beans won't need all that height, but if they decide to get all Jurassic on me, I'll be ready (please get Jurassic, please get Jurassic). I sunk each stalk in as far as I could, probably 6" or more. Then I tied each set of four with twine as tight as I could up top. 3 rows hold 24 beans in one of my 6'x5' raised beds.
Also today I planted edamame in my second 6'x5' bed. I ended up with 3 rows holding 36 edamame. The third 6'x5' bed holds my 12 potatoes which are all up and looking great!
I still have two smaller raised beds, 5 barrel planters, and one large pot to go. I put a lot of thought into what to plant, so I hope I've made good decisions. This was my criteria:
1) If it can be foraged, don't plant it...use garden space judiciously.
2) Include some high protein and carb plants.
3) Choose plants that provide greater options when preserving and cooking.
4) Plant things that I won't get sick of eating. :)
That seemed the best I could do. Not everything chosen will fall into all four categories, but many will. Hope I don't starve. Just kidding.
Kinda.
Image credit: Cale Ruiz