Picking the Green Beans

Anybody who has grown green beans knows that they don't pick themselves. Even though we have lots of sets of little hands in this household, nobody likes to pick them.

Heck, Tay's forearms break out in a rash every time we pick. She has some sort of hypersensitivity to them. Since nobody seems to like the pole beans, we're growing the "tastier" bush beans (sounds odd, but they do seem more tender and better tasting). Their close proximity to the ground is not kind to bad backs, that's for sure.

To inspire my girls in picking, I usually break out in song. "Bringing in the Sheaves"is my personal favorite...

Well, it's a team effort around here and eventually me, Tay and our four daughters get the job done every 3 or 4 days...now onto the canning!!!

Beans

This years bean crop has been the most productive yet. We are three weeks into production so far and we have already canned 28 qts. I expect that we will have about 80 by the end of the growing season.


Having 4 kids to pick & snap has been key in keeping up. They hate every second of it and swear that after they move out they will never pick another bean as long as they live. Funny, I used to say the same thing when I was their age. I would dream about living a a little apartment with no wood to cut, no hay to bale and no vegetables to weed or pick. I did move away from farm life for short periods of time here and there when I was younger but I always seemed to end up right back where I started. I wouldn't last a week in an apartment of any kind today. The smell and the freedom of farm living is something I wouldn't give up for anything - and I'm sure the kids will feel the same way... someday.

Sorry...

We got a little side tracked last year. Lots of changes and updates in the 10 Acre wood. So, stay tuned and here goes...