This year I planted two rows of pole beans. One row of Cherokee Trail of Tears beans and one row of Blue Lake. I planted them half way around each of eight tomato cages. My garden is relatively small and I wanted to plant lots of tomatoes this year so that I would be sure to have enough to can tomatoes to last us at least half way through winter if not longer. This didn't leave me much space, so I had to let go of the bush beans and plant pole beans. I used the tomato cages as the support. I'm still waiting to determine if this was a good idea or not. So far, the beans and tomatoes seem to be existing well together, if not a little too crowded. I know the idea of interplanting is definitely not new. I have just never read about tomatoes and beans being partners yet. However, if there is one thing that I have learned about small scale gardening, it is that one should not be afraid to experiment. What have you got to lose!? The bean plants have been growing well all summer, but it wasn't until very recently that I started seeing those beautiful blossoms - that sign that fruit is not far behind!
It's no surprise that, yet again, I find something in my garden to be extraordinarily beautiful. . . But how can you not . . .
Most of the beans growing today are still very small. I did find two that were full sized and I quickly plucked them off the plant and ate them while I was snapping away. It was a little taste of heaven.
