Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eric Walker on October 31, 2011 at 17:41

Hello Bigyin, You can grow runner beans in the same spot every year, so dig a trench by all means. I understand you can also grow onions in the same spot, but I don't bother, I rotate everything except runner beans which are in the same spot as they were 35 years ago.

Eric

Permalink Reply by Bigyin on October 31, 2011 at 18:25

Thanks for that Eric.  I was just hoping I could fill it up with something else to make it worth while.  I suppose sweet peas would be OK ?

Permalink Reply by Eric Walker on November 1, 2011 at 17:29

I too am in the same position just the two of us now but I still garden as if the children were at home. I don't like to see the land lying fallow. My bean row is 44ft long but no difficulty getting rid of the surplus, I swap it for steel from the industrial estate across the road. They cut it to the exact size I require & will stop what they are doing to help me with no charge. I also supply the family & neighbours, One of whom gives us damsons & cooking apples, another victoria plums, another gave my missus a large box of chocolates & the next door neighbour a chiropodist looks after her feet. I haven't found a butcher yet who will keep us in meat.

Permalink Reply by Bigyin on November 1, 2011 at 17:55

Sounds like you have the ideal bartering system there Eric.  Unfortunately, everyone here in Spain has what they call a Horta (like an allotment but on their own land) so there nothing much to swap.  Gardening here is a bit of a struggle.  We've been here 6 years and have 4 acres to play with (it would be ideal for your trains).  My wife is the gardener really.  I'm more of a groundsman.  I'm in the process of building a new veg patch, 60ft x 40ft completely fenced with 1 metre high chain link fence to keep the rabbits out.  It's bedded in an 8 inch footing to stop them burrowing under.  Also, the ground is in poor condition so it's going to be a long job to improve it.  See my blog.

http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blog/list?user=2eqntl...

Anyway.  It's good talking to you and feel free to chat if you want.

Permalink Reply by Eric Walker on November 2, 2011 at 17:40

Hello Bigyin, I didn't realize you were in Spain. I imagine it will be difficult growing runner beans as they need loads of water. My row is on a 1in10 slope & I make a trench down one side  for the water to flow. this year we have had very little rain so the hose pipe has been trickling continually, thank goodness I am not on a meter. I've been reading your blog, very interesting, you certainly earn your veg.

Thinking what you said how all your neighbours grow their own, it was the same here 50 years ago.We came here July 1957, it  was a small farming village, property was cheap, I paid £200 for my spread & I could have bought the vicarage with 11 acres for £2000. Twelve years later, lots of houses had been built & we were inundated with school teachers soliciters etc. prices had gone through the roof. Meanwhile we had had 5 children & one of the incomers  said to Gloria" how can you afford to live here"?

I just asked her how many people in the village grow veg, only two more