beanstalk

Jack's Beanstalk

Do you remember the story of Jack and the Beanstalk?

Would you like to grow a beanstalk as big as Jacks?

Follow these simple instructions and you can grow a beanstalk. It may not grow as big as Jacks, but you will be able to pick some lovely beans that you can eat.

To grow your beanstalk you will need the following items:

A packet of Runner Beans.

3 or 4 plantpots about 8 cm (3 inches) in diameter.

A small bag of multi- purpose compost.

3 - 3 meter long garden canes.

A small length of string.

Some liquid fertiliser (something like Phostrogen)

A Watering can is also useful.

What to do:

Start this project in May so that the weather is nice and warm when you are ready to plant your bean plants out.

Start by filling the plantpots to the top with compost then using your finger or a pencil, make a hole down the middle of the compost in each pot.

Place 1 bean in each of the holes and then fill in the hole with a bit more compost.

Drip a few drops of water (not too much or the beans will not grow) into each pot and then place them on a sunny windowsill.

After a few days you will see the beans starting to come up. Make sure that the compost is kept moist but not too wet. Check your plants each day and turn the pot round so that the beans grow evenly.

When your beans reach a height of about 15cm (6 inches) it is time for them to be planted outside.

You will need place in the garden that is sunny and about 1 meter (3 feet) square. Dig over the area of soil to break it up and remove any weeds that may be growing. (Don't forget to ask your parents permission first or you may get told off)

Push the 3 canes into the ground in a triangle shape about 60 cm (2 feet) apart the tie the tops together with the string to make a wigwam shape.

At the base of each cane, dig a small hole just a bit bigger than the plantpot that the beans are growing in. Take each plant and gently squeeze the pot a few times to loosen it, and being very careful not to damage the plant, remove the pot. Your plants should have lots of roots. Place each plant in one of the holes and fill in around the roots with some compost. Press the soil around the plant to make sure it is firm and water it carefully.

Tie each plant loosely to the cane with a piece of string. As your plants grow they will wind their way around the canes.

Keep the plants watered well throughout the summer and every 2 weeks feed them with a liquid fertiliser such as Phostrogen.

When the beans reach the top of the canes you will see flowers start to appear. These turn into beans after a few weeks. When the beans reach a length of 12 - 15 cm (5- 6 inches) long they are ready for picking.

Well - have your beanstalks grown as big as Jacks did?