The Chinese long beans are happily thriving in the heat and humidity. Harvested daily this past week. Freezer is happy it is getting fed. In my August 3 post I mentioned I read somewhere that the flowers attract hummingbirds. Have been keeping my eyes open and happy to report, yes, the hummingbirds are visiting, but they are so swift, I could not get a photo.
Brought in the last of the baby bok choy. Surprised they survived the heat. A few of the plants were flowering and all the leaves are holey, still tender and delicious stir-fried in just a bit of oil with minced garlic and ginger and a splash of soy sauce.
First red amaranth harvest. Planted later that usual, but garden was producing lots of greens so that was OK. Cooked the same as the baby bok choy.
Left photo, amaranth plant.
First beets harvest.
Top to bottom: Detroit dark red, chioggia and cylindra
This is what the inside of the chioggia beets look like.
Left, pole to pole
Right, cross section
Also brought in the last 2 kohlrabi. These went into a beef stew. They were tender, not at all bothered by the heat.
Prepped the grounds and transplant some of the kohlrabi seedlings started in cell packs at the end of June (bumped up into 3-inch pots around mid-July). Hoping for a fall/winter harvest.
Also transplanted my Beedy’s Camden kale seedlings. Got the seeds from Dave, Our Happy Acres. Thank you Dave.
Battling cabbage worms. Hand picking daily (I do not spray) from all the brassica seedlings, many got their leaves chewed up so badly, may not make it.
Ants discovered my ripe figs. The race is now on to get to the ripe figs before the ants. I may have to harvest a tad earlier than I like.
The wookchuck has appeared, so far it is nibbling on my neighbour’s property. Despite the drought, it is really fat so there must be lots of goodies over there. Hope it continues to be happy and satisfied with what is there and not waddle over to my yard.
Lots of flowers on my blue hubbard squash but they are all male flowers, growing season is coming to an end soon so most likely I will not be harvesting any blue hubbard. This on top of losing all my summer squash plants to squash borer. A disappointing squash year. Next year will definitely be better.
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Garden to Wok 
You have the greenest fingers Norma! Lovely to see what you have in your garden.
🙂 Mandy
Hello Mandy,
Thanks. My gardens bring me a great deal of joy and satisfaction.
I just asked Robin at Garden of Eden what Chinese red long bean plants look like and here I am looking at them – they look fascinating. Another thing for me to try…
Hello Liz,
I think you will enjoying growing the Chinese red long beans, they make a statement in the garden.
I am planning to grow the snake bean this Summer but had never came across the red/purple snake bean like yours, it looks very attractive on the green vines of bean leaf. I haven’t seen anywhere in Australia selling the red/purple snake bean, does anyone know where can we get it in Australia?
Hello Yvonne,
Have you looked in the garden catalogs? You could also try the Asian markets, in NYC some of the Asian markets carry vegetable seeds.
These long beans look lovely. How long can they be? What is the longest bean in cm?
I also have chioggia beets but they aren’t ready yet. Your amaranth leaves look lovely & so does your beets & kohlrabi’s! Yummy yum!
Hello Sophie,
The longest I have grown my beans is about 24 inches I think it converts to about 61 cm.
waw!!!
What an incredible harvest Norma. Our neighbours grow tomatoes and gave us a couple yesterday; I’m going to use them in a Julia Child recipe later this week (it’s one I made with store bought tomatoes on the weekend, see post tomorrow). Did you mean woodchuck? I’m going to have to google what they look like. My friend Angela has bunnies in her garden and mentioned how cute they are before they become “Garden Eating Machines”. So funny.
Hello Eva,
Woodchuck is also known as groundhog. It tunnels into the garden (I once saw one climbing my garden fence) and can wipe out a garden in no time.
I am looking forward to seeing your post tomorrow.
Hi Norma, that makes sense. I keep wanting to ask “how much wood can a woodchuck chuck…” but it’s just too obvious.
I love the variety Norma. I’m so sorry to hear about the figs. I know you wanted them to stay on the tree until they had ripened. I hope the ants find something else to eat xx
Hello Charlie,
The figs are ripe when I harvest them, it is just that I like to leave them on the tree a bit longer, they do get a bit sweeter.
There is a thing called tangle trap or something like that; basically sticky paper to wrap around a tree trunk and catch bugs that climb up from the ground. Beautiful harvest as usual! I really love those chiogga beets, ordered some seed to try for myself.
Hello Mary,
Thanks for the info on tangle trap. I shall look into it.
Hi Norma!
Sorry about the squash. Those striped beets are really pretty. Do they keep their stripes after you cook them?
Hello Kate,
They lose their stripe after cooking. I read somewhere that lemon juice will help preserve the color, I have to get to the store for a lemon and experiment.
Norma, you are growing so many interesting things–things I have never tried. I always enjoy reading your blog, because you open my eyes to all sorts of possibilities. Kohlrabi isn’t bothered by the heat? That’s something else to add to my list. Long beans attract hummingbirds? Another one on the list. Red amaranth can be cooked the same as baby bok choy? See,it gets quite long when I read your posts. 🙂
Hello Cristy,
Thanks, you are very generous.
All of your harvest looks so nice! I can sympathize over the squash; I often have trouble with them because of bugs. How does amaranth taste? I’ve never grown it before, but if it does well in heat it might be something I should try.
Hello Patsy,
Thaks. I don’t know how to describe the taste of amaranth, it has its own distinctive taste.
The red ones are really wonderful color and I’m interested in the taste.
Hello Cocomino,
The red ones taste about the same as the green ones.
The beets look marvelous and so does the amaranth. You grow so much, how big is your plot–it seems like you harvest an acres-worth of vegetables…:)
Ohhhhh woodchucks! Yes, I noticed too, mine are EXTREMELY fat and don’t seem to be suffering at all. I’m sure it helps that they’re gobbling up my tomatoes!
Hello FC,
Well my garden is not that big, I just grow many varieites – a little of this and a little of that, and I pack them in tightly, too tightly, i think. Sorry to learn the woodchucks are gobbling up your tomatoes.
Those long beans are really interesting. I will keep my fingers crossed that the woodchuck stays at your neighbors. Sorry about the squash production. We had a lousy squash year last year because of the abnormally cold summer. Looking to be better this year, but I noticed the pumpkins seem to be having problems pollinating. The patch is such a tangle of vegetation that it is hard for me to get in there to hand pollinate.
Hello Kitsapfg,
Next year will be a better squash year. My beans are producing better than expected so that made up for some of the squash loss.
What a fantastic harvest, I love how you often panfry your veges lightly, this is how we eat them too most of the time. from the garden to the mouth in under 20 minutes! yum! c
Hello Cecilia,
Thanks. I find that’s the best way to preserve the fresh picked flavors.
Amaranth!! Totally cool! Can’t remember when I last saw them…
These long beans are really thriving!
Hello Angie,
Yes, the long beans are really loving the heat and humidity, not I though.
I hope that woodchuck stays away. I had one a couple years ago and it ate every squash in the garden except one that I wrapped in a million layers of bird netting. Oh how I hated that animal.
And those beans look so lovely. I tried to grow them one year and they never did much. I should try again. I do love them.
Hello Daphne,
They sure can create havoc with just one visit.
The long beans may do well in your new garden.
Your beets are gorgeous! I hear you about battling cabbage worms…we hand picked for what felt like forever at the beginning of the summer and then finally gave up. I’m going to try again this fall, but it was rough.
I’ve never tried to grow those long beans…I might have to add them to the list…they look lovely!
Hello Melissa,
The long beans are really easy to grow, they just need something to climb up on.
Norma, I hear you on the male squash blossoms. That is all I have on my butternut but the acorn have finally started to set. They may get ok to eat but don’t think they will make the stage that they will store well.
Love those beans. What do they taste like.
Hello wilderness,
The beans taste like green beans with a bit earthiness thrown in, I think you will like them. How are your mung beans coming along?
I’m still fascinated by those long beans – they’re just so *long*! (and cool!). Those beets look amazing, do they taste pretty much the same as “normal” beets?
Hello charles,
The beans are really cool. I sometmes cook them whole and then curl them to serve, that’s really cool.
They taste like “normal” beets but a bit sweeter.
My long beans drowned this week. I couldn’t believe it! I’ve never seen that happen. TIme to replant anyway – but still!
Hello Barbie,
Sorry to hear that your long beans drowned. Glad you have time to replant.
Such beautiful photos, Norma, and such good food.
Hello Sharydn,
Thanks, coming from you it surely means a great deal.
What superb beets my friend 😀
Absolutely love your garden!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Hwllo Uru,
Thanks, my garden gives me a great deal of pleasure and treasures.
I enjoy reading your posts and watch this green pictures. And I would love to have my own garden.
Hello Marta,
Thanks. I am sure someday you will have your own garden. Do you have a balcony with your apartment? If yes, you could grow a few things in pots.
Norma,
So sorry to here about your squash problems. We are struggling in the squash department this year too. Those long beans are amazing. How do they taste? Where can I get seeds I’d love to try them next year.
Hello Rick,
The long beans taste like green beans with a bit of earthiness. You can get the seeds from Evergreenseeds.
It seems like everyone is having problems growing squash this year. If it isn’t the bugs, it’s the heat, and sometimes both. Lucky for you the rest of your garden is doing great! Your Chinese long beans look great and isn’t that chioggia beet beautiful?
Hello John,
Yes, the chioggia beat is gorgeous, unfortunately it loses its color after cooking. Do you know how to preserve the color? I read somewhere about using lemon juice. It is an Italian heirloom and I am hoping you can give me some ideas.
I spoke with my Zia moments ago and mentioned your beets. She knows of no “fancy” beets. The beets they had to prepare were the standard deep red beets common to all of our groceries. Sorry but I if do come upon something, I will certainly let you know.
Hello John,
Thanks for checking with your Zia for me.
Love your harvest as usual…and the Chinese long beans look awesome…never had amaranth…and the beets look great.
Beautiful as always Norma…have a wonderful week ahead 🙂
Hello Juliana,
Thanks. You have a wonderful week too.
Those chioggia beets deserve centre stage on a plate with some grilled meat. Beautiful!
Hello Barb,
Ufortunately the color gets lost after cooking, it is good uncooked.
what a great harvest!!! Fresh vegetables are the best!!
Hello Sammie,
Nothing beats veggies from the garden to the table within hours.
Hmm: love those long beans; could not do without my baby bok choy, holey or otherwise; have never tried growing amaranth: what a good lesson – I don’t spray either, and have found out what a woodchuck is!! Lots of thanks due, methinks 🙂 !
Hello Eha,
You are welcome. Should have put in some baby bok choy for fall harvest but never got around to doing so, I think it is now too late.
I was familiar with amaranth as a seed, I hadn’t realized that the amaranth leaves were also edible, making it much more valuable as an edible. We’ve had woodchuck problems for the first time this year, and have taken it as a sign to put up a stronger fence…
Hello Leduesorelle,
Yes, the leaves are edible. the stems also, if tender.
Sorry to hear you are having woodchuck problem. They do dig under the fence to get into the garden so you need to bury the fence 12 inches below ground surface. I bury chicken wire.
You have done so well with the top of my veggie wish list : snake beans & amaranth! My snake beans plant looked ‘so sorry’ right from the beginning, and was able to cough only 4 beans in total. As for the Amaranth, I searched hi & low for seeds, finally managed to find a packet that was expired 10 years ago..they still wanted to sell it and I still wanted to buy it…of course…not even one seed came into being!! Norma, You are so blessed with your garden produce!! 🙂
Hello Annie,
Thanks. Hopefully your next planting of snake beans and amaranth will be more successful.
Nice harvest as usual. Your long beans are great, I should try those,.they would love this summer, and I bet they are great for stir fry (Szechuan dry-fried green beans, mmm…). The cabbage caterpillars weren’t bad until now. Lots of moths fluttering around, but not a lot of damage. Maybe they didn’t like the hot weather. Now they are chewing up the place. You could spray with Bt, it’s considered organic.
Hello Dave,
Thanks. Yes, the long beans make excellent Szechuan dry-fried green beans, their textures are perfect for the dish. I don’t have a huge amount of plants so I will just continue to hand pick.
Love the patterns of the beets… and your long beans look so lovely, dangling down are they are…
Hello Lrong,
Yes, the gioggia beets have gorgeous patterns, unfortunately they fade after cooking.
Oh hummingbirds are such little delights! I get so excited every time I see one. They just fascinate me. Good luck getting to the figs!
Hello Kristy,
I was so excited when I saw the first one, still get excited every time I see one, they are so gorgeous.
Norma, I was thinking again about your experiences with amaranth today. Now that it’s cooler, I have more time to think about what I want to plant next year. I think I am going to plant amaranth. It sounds really like an exciting plant. 🙂 Thanks for introducing me to it.
Hello Cristy,
You are so welcome. Planning for next year aleady????? You are so organized.