Are these beans ready?

[baps]

Hey guys,

First time vegegrower! I'm wondering if these french beans are ready for picking yet or can anyone tell me how to know when they're ready? Have this problem with a lot of veges so far really. Just dug up our first carrot to test too, and there's some courgettes in the picture I might have a go at.

Also, does anyone know why my carrots seem to be large enough, but are incredibly stumpy? Like some are over an inch thick, which look nice! But they're also only an inch long. Too early?

Thanks!

Baps.

[Jonny.D]

I'd pick them, they look fat enough, is that it or do you have more?

[veggiechicken]

Hi Baps. You can eat beans at any size until you can see the knobbly beans inside the pods. Usually, the more you pick them, the more they'll produce - but don't hold me to that. It also varies with the variety - is that a dwarf French bean or a climber?
Same with the courgettes. If you think they're big enough to eat, pick them.
Do you know what sort of carrot you've grown? There are stump rooted ones which sound like yours.

[baps]

I'd pick them, they look fat enough, is that it or do you have more?

There's a bunch more. Not loads, but enough for a bowl or two if I picked them all that look ready.

Hi Baps. You can eat beans at any size until you can see the knobbly beans inside the pods. Usually, the more you pick them, the more they'll produce - but don't hold me to that. It also varies with the variety - is that a dwarf French bean or a climber?
Same with the courgettes. If you think they're big enough to eat, pick them.
Do you know what sort of carrot you've grown? There are stump rooted ones which sound like yours.

Good to know, thankyou! It is a dwarf french bean. Have some runner beans as well but they're only beginning to bean, if beaning is a verb.

I'll have to have a look at the variety, can't remember offhand. Really wanted a bunch of carrots, and I've been hasty and dug around a few to see what they're like. They're all stumpy so far.

Might go pick some beans and try them!

Thanks for the help guys.

[baps]

Carrots are Early Nantes variety. From my extensive googlefu, they look like they should be longer than an inch! Question is, do I just eat them at this length or are they likely to grow longer?

Baps.

[veggiechicken]

Patience, baps
Carrots seem to take for ever to grow.

[baps]

Patience, baps
Carrots seem to take for ever to grow.

Not my strong point! Lost the first set I planted (planted them a month apart), so yeah I'll leave them alone for a while then.

Beans and corgettes were tasty btw. Hope there's more beans.

Baps.

[bario1]

I would say that if they are already an inch thick, your carrots won't get any longer.... they tend to grow down and then swell, rather than swelling and then growing down. You aways get a few duff ones, but if they're all like that then there must be a reason... stony soil? Shallow beds?

[Penellype]

I agree with bario1 - the carrots may get fatter but are unlikely to grow much longer. As well as a shallow bed or stones, carrots don't like to be dry and in parts of the country this year has been very dry, so that could be a contributing factor.

[baps]

I would say that if they are already an inch thick, your carrots won't get any longer.... they tend to grow down and then swell, rather than swelling and then growing down. You aways get a few duff ones, but if they're all like that then there must be a reason... stony soil? Shallow beds?

The soil is very... clumpy? Someone else here thought it might be like a clay soil. I did dig them the depth of my fork. 8 or 9" perhaps? Then added couple inches of compost. There weren't really any large stones in any of the beds, but could be something I've done with the soil prep? I've only had a look at 3 or 4 carrots so far and the longest is probably 3".

I agree with bario1 - the carrots may get fatter but are unlikely to grow much longer. As well as a shallow bed or stones, carrots don't like to be dry and in parts of the country this year has been very dry, so that could be a contributing factor.

I'm in Ireland, but it has been dry here. At least until recently! Did water them every day though.

Baps.

[veggiechicken]

Have a look at Sarah Raven's stumpy Earlyy Nantes. You may feel better about yours then!

https://www.sarahraven.com/veg_fruit...rot_nantes.htm

[baps]

Have a look at Sarah Raven's stumpy Earlyy Nantes. You may feel better about yours then!

https://www.sarahraven.com/veg_fruit...rot_nantes.htm

Thanks VC, that looks like them.. So... does that mean they're ready? Not ready? Confused now!

Baps.

[veggiechicken]

If you've pulled them up, they're ready...............or you can leave the rest until you pull them up, when they'll also be ready!
Does that help?

[baps]

If you've pulled them up, they're ready...............or you can leave the rest until you pull them up, when they'll also be ready!
Does that help?

Hahah! I be eatin those stumpy carrots!

Baps.

[veggiechicken]

Still time to sow some more!