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Tarp Heroes by Helen Gable

1/21/2016

The roof of the old potting shed was due for replacement this coming year. But this winter's storms made the matter urgent. Some areas of fiberglass blew off and had been replaced by a metal strip. But heavy rains were leaking through along the whole length of the shed where the lights are hung. Something had to be done if we are to begin growing our plant starts next month!

The tarp and rope were lifted onto the roof of the potting shed. We attempted to get the rope tucked against the barn wall but a protruding vent prevented a complete connection.

A long board was pushed up as far as possible against the barn wall between the folds of tarp. The dedicated heroes were up on ladders in the now-resumed rain, heads shoved under the musty old tarp, muscles straining to get it as tight as possible.

Sylvan put out a call for volunteers to put a tarp on the roof. Phil, Brian and Beryl responed. We located a huge old tarp (now soaked with rat pee--phew!) and unrolled it.

After some creative group planning, we folded the tarp over and ran a rope down the fold. We looked like a tug-of-war game while the rope and tarp were pulled taut.

There is still a small gap against the barn wall, but we have high hopes that the fix is "good enough" to last until better weather allows a complete replacement of the old roof.

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Growing Heirloom Beans, by Helen Gable

1/19/2016

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This last summer we "grew out" several types of heirloom dry beans. These are all beans with a reputation for tastiness, but which aren't grown by industrial agriculture and so are in danger of being lost.

This year we started with just a few (6 or 8) seeds of these varieties. In each case those few seeds became enough to pass on to others at a seed swap, or to grow for a community meal in 2016.

Here are some of our recovered orphans:

Kwintus--a Romano-type pole bean, resembling other varieties we have grown recently like Hulda

Kwintus

Peregion--the only native northwest bean, very small and early. They are a low bush bean, very prolific. (Hey, this is the climate they are adapted to thrive in!)

Peregion

On the plate of dry beans, Peregion beans are at 1:00, Monachine at 3:00, Judiones (from a previous blog) at 6:00, Goosebeans at 7:00 and Cranberry at 11:00.

Cranberry or Tongue of Flame--about the size of pinto beans, but richer in flavor and prettier while growing. They are also a bush bean which we tucked into corners of the Keyhole.

Goosebeans

Goosebeans--resemble Cranberry, but are larger and grow on long trellised vines.

Monachine

Monachine--a legendary Italian bean which was treasured by a local wine-growing family and only recently shared with the outside world.

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Judiones Beans by Helen Gable

1/13/2016

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A friend of mine (who has since moved to Spain) first introduced me to Judiones beans. Judiones beans are a Spanish delicacy: large, rich, delicious. They are a challenge to grow in our cool Pacific Northwest climate, but quite rewarding.

One must start them early in May and protect them from chill and slugs if they are to mature before the fall rains.

The flowers are beautiful, the pods thick. Each vine makes multiple pods, each pod has three to five beans inside. Ideally one waits until the pods are completely dry before harvesting.

The beans themselves are very large, both white and purple. They swell even further while cooking.

The vines grow very rapidly and very, very long. One summer my friend grew them completely up a telephone pole! Here at Songaia we trained them up the longest bamboo we could find--when they toppled the bamboo we strung them out over the rows.

This last hot summer we grew enough Judiones beans for three community meals, as well as saving some to plant the next year.

Helen is a member of our day-to-day garden team The Piglets (long story). She spends lots of time in the potting shed starting seeds and nurturing seedlings. She is very interested in saving seeds. The Judiones is one of her favorites.

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Tarp Heroes by Helen Gable

Growing Heirloom Beans, by Helen Gable

Judiones Beans by Helen Gable

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