That’s what my basket looked like after a harvesting sweep of my legumes yesterday. So what is wrong with this picture? Well, lots of things: it’s slightly out of focus, doesn’t boast especially interesting composition….

But let’s ignore the formal limitations of the photograph, focus on content, and ask the question again:

What’s wrong with this picture?

Nothing, if you love string beans and don’t care much for peas. Unfortunately, both husband Steve and I much prefer peas. But I can’t keep up with the beans—this is what I picked just before lunch, less than twenty-four hours after my previous picking—and I’m still bringing in just a few pods of peas each day.

I made a conscious effort to plant more peas this year. Of course, I made a similar effort last year, when I had the same problem. Facing this bean explosion, I made a mental count of my bean acreage and realized that I’ve got five 4×4 foot beds devoted to bush beans.

Some of you may be inclined to point out that such calculations should perhaps be made before planting. The real question, you may wish to say, isn’t about the picture, it’s about my planning and planting.

To those of you so inclined, I have a piece of advice: Oh, go bury your head in a compost pile.

Here’s what I’ve got to say about what’s in the basket

Rats.

 

 

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