Yesterday evening I had a surprise show up on my porch. It was my Bluestone order that I had forgotten about. It was three coreopsis. So today I did have something to do in the garden. I had to plant. Not that it took long. I ripped out the annuals that were holding their place and put them in. The biggest problem with planting is that the ground is bone dry. We ought to be getting into a wetter pattern. At least I hope we do. We really need rain.
I decided since I was outside and we did have wet weather predicted for Saturday thru Monday (though now they are saying Monday-Tuesday), I ought to get the pole dried beans picked. Constant wet weather is bad for them. They will mildew in their pods.
Most of the pinto beans weren't ready but a good handful of them were so I picked them. They dry to a nice beige and are green before they are ripe.
The Trail of Tears beans turn purple as they get older and when they are dry they sometimes turn a bit beige, but often retain their purple color. My Tarbais beans aren't even close to ripe yet. They do take a while. And sadly their production is pretty low this year due to the dry weather. I really needed to water them like the green beans to get them to set pods. At least the Trail of Tears seems to be very productive. Last year I didn't have enough of them, but this year I think I won't be able to eat them all. But we will see.
While I was at the farmers market yesterday I picked up some peaches. I'd been eating melons for dessert, but I broke into the last one today for breakfast. I'm going to make it last by eating just a third of it a day. But for dessert I decided on peach sorbet (1 lb 13 oz peaches and a syrup made from 1 c sugar and 3/4 c water). So I had to peel those peaches. They look neon orange don't they?
And I pureed them to make the sorbet. Yum. The funny thing is that I was going to make some plum sorbet from my friend's plums (they still have tons even after the canning party). But I didn't have a car to pick them up. One of my townhouse mates surprised me with two gallon bags full of plums this afternoon. She had been out for a walk with my plum owning friend, and he sent her back with them so I could make more things. I might just end up with some plum sorbet too. And maybe some plum chutney.
You grow so many different kinds of beans! The peaches do look so good. Enjoy your sorbet both peach and if you get your plum made. Hot and dry here too. Losing my enthusiasm fast! LOL Nancy
ReplyDeleteHow do you get so many beans? Any tricks?
ReplyDeleteUse innoculant and make sure they get watered on a regular basis. Pole beans tend to be much more productive than bush beans. Though I do grow a few bush dried beans too, most of them are pole beans. Some beans are just more productive too. Trail of Tears has always been a very productive bean. Typically I'm happy when I get about a third of a pound of dried beans per square foot of space for pole beans.
DeleteDaphne, how do you know when to pick the dry beans? I'm trying some this year and the pods are shriveled but the beans inside are still slightly soft. Will they dry further indoors after shelling? Because I'm afraid too that they'll get mildewed and ruined if I leave them out.
ReplyDeleteYes they will dry indoors after shelling just fine. I often have to do this when the weather is wet for an extended period. When it is wet here (which it hasn't been) it can be really wet and the pods never really dry out. As long as the beans have their color (though it will darken on drying) they should be fine. If the bean is still green inside you picked them too soon. But you can eat them green as shelling beans.
Deletelovely looking beans and what a yummy sorbet!
ReplyDeleteI like surprises like that!
ReplyDeleteOooh, lovely fruity sorbets. I know what you mean about water -- we've had issues with our popcorn, alas. Hope it works out.
ReplyDelete