I picked the first mess of Derby and Maxibel green beans today–right on schedule about 50 days after planting the seed. Derby is producing more heavily as expected. First tomatoes were picked–Sweet Chelsea and Sun Gold. The slicers still have a way to go. Also, the Contessa white onions are ready. Onions are ready when the stem collapses and falls over. These are great, sweet onions and are easy to grow. Just order the plants from Dixondale (see links) in November. I picked up some shallots at Walbash’s while there for something else. Probably not the best time to plant them, but we will see.
Also picked 2 quarts of wild dewberries last Thursday–dewberry cobbler for dessert today–yum! You do not have to go far to find dewberries. Watch for the plants blooming around March 1 and make a note of where they are. I found these on the esplanade of a busy street a few blocks from the medical center. The only hard part was crossing to the median without getting run over. Normally, you have to be careful of copperheads when picking berries, but I doubt any copperhead could have made it there without being run over. Nevertheless, my old instincts kept me on the lookout. Roadside ditches typically are full of dewberries. Most people these days are too lazy to pick them so competition is light. My Kiowa blackberries are blooming and have some green berries. It will be a few weeks before they produce.
When did you plant your beans? Did you plant seeds right in your garden or attempt transplants? I ask because my beans are sill only about 4″ and no signs of flowers yet… I planted seed in the garden the second week of March. I live about 20 min. NE of Houston. Thanks!
Comment by blancspons — April 21, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
I planted them February 28. Second week of March should be fine. They will grow fast with the warm weather provided you have good soil, sunlight, etc. Beans take about 50 days. Yours should be blooming by the end of April. I planted them directly in the garden. You can spout them in wet paper towels to get a faster start, but it is rather ‘futtsie’ and does not really gain much.
Comment by Robert — April 22, 2008 @ 7:20 pm