Peas

For me, peas are one of the most difficult crops to have, as I live right in front of the sea with  strong Easternly winds that sometimes hit force 9!
Peas need a good shelter and a sunny place to grow, water regularly and nothing much left to do but hope that weather will be kind.
I sow peas twice, once towards the end of December and another time towards the end of January.  I dig a trench approx 6 inches deep along the drip line and I put around 6 peas together aside each drip hole which is roughly 10 inch apart.  I try to put them aside hardy leafy plants such as Artichokes or broccoli  so that they get some shelter. 
Harvest peas when they look plump and fruit looks bulging from the pod.  The tender pea shoots are excellent in salads. Just snip a few with you fingers and ejnoy the delicate sweet pea taste.  If you decide to freeze them, then shell them as quickly as possible and pack them in plastic bags.  Will keep well till next season.

French Beans

French Beans are sown exaclty like the Borlotti beans that is From February till March, with the difference that both the bean and pod are edible so they can be harvested around the end of May.

I dig a trench along the drip line approx 6inch deep and I sow eight seeds together but 10inch apart .  This is very necessary as when they grow, the stems support one another in strong winds and they can grow into nice bushes.  You can arrange Support made from cane, so that they climb along, but I find that leaving them together they sort of intertwine with one another achieving same results. 

Watering regulary is essential for a sweet crop,  and when the plant has about 10 leaves I also sprinkle some yellow powder, early in the morning.  Plant does not like being wet, so never sprinkle any water over it.  

I harvest when the beans are small so that I do not have unnecessary waste.  French beans can be frozen. Blanch them  for 30 seconds in boiling salted water then put them in ice cold water to retain a vibrant green colour.  Drain well then pack into freezing bags and freeze.  Will keep till the next season.

Recipe Suggestions

French Bean and Carrot in Wine Sauce 

Pumpkins

Sometimes, when Nature is kind, crop can be abundantly so much that it would be impossible to consume.  Pumpkins are the ideal vegetable to grow as once they are ripe, they can stand on a wall somewhere in the sun, and keep well throughout the winter.  Last year I opened the last pumpkin in July, and used the seeds to sow for another season!

Pumpkin is the last vegetable I sow in the Summer Season, which is around mid July.  Allow plenty space between one to another at least 1 metre!  I dig 6 inch hole and put two seeds in each then when the seedlings start to grow I remove the weakest one.  Normally, I opt for the family size Pumpkin which can vary between 1 kg to 4 kg.  I also love the butternut squash variety.  The flesh is more compact and brighter, however it will not keep as long as the normal family size.

Water regularly, and as soon as the plant has 5 or 6 leaves sprinkle with yellow powder early in the morning and Preferably when there are dew drops still on the leaves. Do this every three weeks so that the plant is protected from viruses and other illnesses. 

The stem will travel along the garden, sometimes it can grow long as much as ten metres. Normally, I re arrange and curl it back to where is space.  Try not to disturb when there are fruits attached, even if they land on pathways.

Pumpkins will be ready to cut in Early October or when the stem is completely dried.  Carefully cut just above one inch from the stem and place stem side down on a stone wall where they can enjoy plenty sunshine. Check them regularly especially after it rains as they can rot.  If you spot one which just started to go off, simply cut around the bad part and use immediately.

Recipe Suggestions

Pumpkin Gnocchi
Spicy Pumpkin and Amaretti Biscuits