Kids - would you like to earn some pocket money?
Here's the deal - get Mum or Dad to agree to buy vegetables from you if
you grow them yourself.
They might laugh at first but tell them that fresh vegetables are best,
and you can't get fresher than from your garden.
And if they buy them from you, isn't it better to keep their money in
the family?
If you're getting desperate, you could say if you grow them, you are
more likely to eat them (I'll leave that one up to you - but, fresh vegies do taste
better.)
Grow green beans. They're the easiest. You can buy a packet
from the garden shop or supermarket (try to get your parent's to pay for
them.)
Green beans come as bush beans or climbing beans. Bush beans grow
as small bushes. Climbing beans grow up things. Good if there
is a wall nearby. Always check with Mum or Dad where you are going
to plant the beans. Maybe even let them help.
Plant the beans in rows, with the seeds buried a centimetre or two
below the surface. Water well and wait for the seed to sprout
through. Protect the young plants from snails. Once they have a few
sets of leaves they are too tough for snails to chew through.
Water the plants on a regular basis. They will flower and from
most of the flowers a bean pod will develop. Pick them before the
bean seeds start to swell the pod. They taste good raw, but only eat
them AFTER you have been paid.
Keep a few pods on the plant and they will swell with the seeds.
The plant and the pod will go brown and dry out. You may be
able to hear the bean seeds rattling in the pod. Break open the pods
and store your investment beans for next season.
If you would like a packet of the pocket money beans, IMBY will send
you a packet for free! Click on the "request beans" link
or send a
stamped self-addressed envelope to IMBY, PO Box 54, Mittagong NSW 2575.
Safety in garden. There isn't much danger in the growing
beans. Don't let babies play with the seeds as they may stick them up
their nose or try to swallow them. If you dig in the garden, wear
gloves and wash your hands well with soap and water when you finish.
If you have any questions on growing Pocket Money Beans you can send an
email to our gardener. The email address is vegie.gardens@imby.org.au
