Making a decision on where to grow the peas and beans is always tricky. They are by far the tallest crop in my kitchen garden, and while their height adds architectural interest to the beds it can also block the light for the other crops if not planted carefully. Plus they are very good at fixing nitrogen in the soil for other plants.

In Year 1 the peas went in the same raised bed as some summer squash and celeriac. The peas were prolific, producing a steady supply through the summer. But they blocked the morning sun to the squash and celeriac, so they didn’t do so well. The peas also quickly outgrew the netting protecting the other crops.

In Year 2 the beans were planted in a corner of the garden against the wall, in a position to help shade the salad table from strong morning sun. It successfully prevented the lettuce, sorrel and rocket from bolting until very late in the season, but the bean crop was not great. The plants needed more sun and space to thrive.

This year I gave the borlotti beans their own dedicated bed to the side of the garden and they are doing well. They do not need net covers, but do need regular weeding. After a slow start the plants are growing strongly and provide me with a bowl of the beautifully coloured beans every week.

At the end of the season I will use the soil from this raised bed to top dress some of the other beds, giving them the benefit of the nitrogen enriched soil.

It has made me think about how to incorporate these taller bean plants into the garden as a design feature in a way that benefits other crops. I came across this idea of garden designer and plantsman Nigel Dunnett, something he has used in his own vegetable garden. He uses the black timber and sweetpea / bean cane supports to create a walk way between the beds, almost using them as screening to create tiny outdoor rooms. It is something I would like to incorporate into the next phase of the walled garden.