Grow French Beans and Lettuce in a Snap with a Willow Wigwam
Growth Clash in Container for French Beans and Lettuce
Fancy a bountiful harvest of tender French beans and crunchy lettuce, all housed in a single pot? Look no further! This easy, space-saving container garden setup uses a willow wigwam to support climbing French beans while nurturing lettuce at its foot. Here's how to make it happen.
Equipment
- 2 French bean seeds 'Cosse Violette'
- 2 French bean seeds 'Cobra'
- 9 lettuce 'Lollo Rossa' seedlings or plug plants
- Spinach seeds 'Bordeaux'
- 30cm terracotta pot
- Willow wigwam
Timeline
Approximately 20 minutes
Instructions
- Setting up the Willow Wigwam: Plant the beans by sinking them 1 inch deep around the base of the wigwam. Gently position and secure the wigwam in the pot so it can support the growing bean vines.
- Lettuce Time: Plant the lettuce seedlings or plugs around the base of the wigwam, leaving 15cm gaps for spinach. Water generously.
- Sowing Spinach: Directly sow the spinach seeds about 2cm apart in the gaps left for them. They'll sprout and fill in within 10 days.
- For the Beans: Pick the French beans as soon as they're large enough to eat (after about eight weeks) by snipping them off with scissors. Regular picking encourages more bean production. Alternatively, leave the pods to dry on the plant for use as haricot beans.
- Cultivate the Lettuce: Once grown, harvest leaf lettuces by plucking outer leaves as needed, or pick the whole head lettuce when filled and ripe.
Pro Tips
- To strengthen the willow wigwam, apply a protective coat such as linseed oil or an outdoor sealer[1].
- Enrich the soil with organic matter, slow-release fertilizer, or a high-potassium liquid fertilizer to promote healthy plant growth and pod development[1][2].
- When it's time to plant new crops, use fresh compost or replenish the soil's nutrients for optimal growth[2].
- Adorn your container garden with various climbing plants like peas or cucumbers, utilizing the willow wigwam for maximum vertical space[3][4].
[1] Bonnie Plants (2022). How-To - Growing Beans in Containers. [Online] Available at: https://www.bonnieplants.com/growing-guides/growing-beans-in-containers
[2] The Spruce Gardens (2022). Growing Beans in Containers. [Online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/growing-beans-container-gardens-2132542
[3] The Spruce Eats (2021). How to Grow Vegetables in Containers. [Online] Available at: https://www.thespruceeats.com/growing-vegetables-in-containers-1908344
[4] The Old Farmer's Almanac (2022). Growing Beans in Containers. [Online] Available at: https://www.almanac.com/plant/growing-beans-containrs
[5] Gardening Know How (2020). What Can I Grow in a Container: 50 Plants You Can Grow in a Pot. [Online] Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/eq/choosing-plants-for-containers.htm
- This willow wigwam not only supports French beans, but it also acts as a home for lettuce, making it an excellent addition to a home-and-garden setting.
- With Jones' container garden setup, which includes French beans, lettuce, and spinach, one can enjoy a variety of gardening delights right at home, enhancing the lifestyle.
