Allotment. Getting ready for Winter

Covering

The runner beans ran away with me this year, getting to the top of eight foot poles and producing so much.  But today (29th October) it was time for them to come down.  I cut them off the poles and mixed them into rotting wood chip and have covered with black plastic for the winter.  Later on if I have time I may spread some farm manure.  This should all rot down nicely for spring planting.  You can also see in the picture the Chard is still doing well and will provide winter greens for us.

Next year I shall grow less, as although I like runner beans, there comes a point when I can't face yet another meal with them in.  I also learnt the hard way this year that you have to pick them young or they go stringy very quickly.  I will also try a stringless variety rather than a heritage variety next year.