Rattlesnake Beans

      This was my first season of success with Rattlesnake Beans.  I think I tried them before from seed, but never got any of the starts to transplant to the garden. The tender young plants seem to have a tough time adjusting to planting out. This year I got one plant to make the jump to the garden, and it grew to be a very productive pole bean, with the mottled pods that give it the Rattlesnake name.
      Shortly before our first killer frost in late October, I picked the last pods and moved them to the enclosed porch to dry.  This morning I shelled the beans to let them dry further, for storage to next year's late spring planting.

Shelling next year's seed, December 6th, 2014

      Aren't those seeds pretty?  A trellis full of Rattlesnake Beans to get enough in the fall to shell for dried beans would be both beautiful and delicious.  Maybe next year.

Holiday Bird of Paradise

      Every year at the holidays we are graced with at least one bloom from the Bird of Paradise.  This year was no exception.

December 5th,  2014