Last year I planted loads of broad beans and they grew very well and tasted delicious.
I planted the beans in the ground in straightish rows and supported them with branches I gathered while out walking.
They were lovely and tasty with very little effort.
This year is different. At the moment I have just three broad bean plants surviving. The summer was so slow to arrive that I wasn’t prepared when it did finally show up.
I started growing the three plants indoors in pots on my window ledge and when I transplanted them outdoors they didn’t do so well.
SLOW BEANS
They were just starting to perk up a bit when they sort of went slow again. They don’t look healthy – just short and stumpy. I checked tonight and the first thing I noticed was two lovely ladybirds,
The second thing I noticed was several regiments of an army of ants crawling over the leaves.
Lastly, on closer inspection, I noticed that the inner stems of the plants were crawling with greenfly.
In fact, you could say the broad bean stems and the greenfly had become one – if that’s not too hippy-dippyish?
GARLIC SPRAY FOR GREENFLY?
Since these plants had emerged from a long and wet winter and I had been nurturing them while recovering from leg injuries and was confined to a wheelchair I felt I must do something to come to their rescue.
I did a little research and read that a spray made of crushed garlic left overnight in water will get rid of them so I have some bashed garlic soaking in a jug of water as I type this.
RECIPES
Some of the recipes call for a mix of ‘dish-soap,’ mineral oil’ as well as chilli powder.
Others say just use the garlic. I am going plain and sticking with just garlic as I have no clue what ‘dish-soap’ is and no clue what mineral oil is either.
I’m guessing these are items we don’t get in Galway although I suspect that ‘dish-soap’ is washing up liquid but who wants that on their broad beans?
DON’T KILL THE LADYBIRDS
I worry that such a mix will kill the Ladybirds and I do love Ladybirds.
Mind you the garlic spray might kill them as well so if they’re still there when my spray has ‘matured’ I think I will pluck the ladybirds to the safety of my happily still-growing strong pea plants – at least for a while.
I do wonder if the ants are eating the greenfly and the ladybirds are eating the ants will I need the spray at all?
PARTY TIME
Anyway here’s a picture of the ladybirds, ants and greenfly partying on my poor old broad bean plant.
UPDATE ON THE ANT AND GREENFLY SITUATION
Unfortunately, although I eventually managed to get rid of the ants and greenfly after several applications of my garlic spray it was too late for the broad bean plants.
None of them survived and I had to resort to buying some plants from the local market.
That’s the thing about gardening – you have good years and bad years. One year I had more cucumber than I could eat and began supplying my neighbours.
Another year I had none.
You’ll be glad to know I have had more success in the vegetable garden since this and if you would like to read more about growing vegetables click here.
For more about peas and beans click below
Growing Peas
Growing Peas in Raised Beds
Harvesting Peas
BALLYYAHOO
ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO LOVE NATURE
As well as gardening I love to write – I used to write for Ireland’s RTE 1 children’s radio stories and still love writing for children.
My Ballyyahoo children’s books are my favourite personal project.
My aim is to share my love of nature with children.
Each book in the series is linked to the Ballyyahoo website with additional information and nature photographs.
There’s so much to love about nature – best of all it’s free!
Get Maggie Many Cats the eBook from:
Amazon.com here
Amazon.co.uk here
WANDER AROUND BALLYYAHOO, READ STORIES AND DISCOVER NATURE
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