Purple Hyacinth Beans

I've picked my purple hyacinth beans. I think they probably need a longer growing season than I can provide here in Southern England, but I am pleased that I have grown them at all. I have brought them inside to dry off and to collect seeds for next year.
Just one more reminder to send me a photo of your best, most unusual pumpkin or squash for Matron's Squashblog. I will be posting on 30th October, so just time to take some pics and send them to Ahhmatron@aol.com. I will post them with a link to your blog.

A Runner Bean Question?

Here is a picture of one of my runner bean roots. In the last few days I have taken advantage of the wonderful sunny weather to have a big clear up down on the allotment. I thought I would carry out an experiment with my beans. I have heard that runner beans can be grown as a perennial if you preserve the root ball over Winter. Here you can see that the root has clearly swelled up like a corm. I am going to plant 6 of the best in a pot of dry compost in the greenhouse overwinter to see if they come to life next year. Has anyone heard of this method? Can beans be grown like this?

There are still a few days left to take a photo of your best pumpkin or squash and email them to me for Matron's Squashblog which will be posted on 30th October. See posts below for details.

Book Recommendation

This book has spent most of its time off the shelf in the past few months. It is one of the most comprehensive and informative books on the subject, in my opinion. 'Preserving' by Oded Schwartz is beautifully illustrated.
It is published by Dorling Kindersley. A must have for any gardener with a glut of anything. Has anyone out there read it?