Bean Fence
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Tupoho - Castlecliff, Whanganui, New Zealand
The fence on the front basketball court provides a perfect climbing frame for summer bean crops. Initially removing all Kikuyu grass roots, we built a Macrocarpa garden edge to hold compost and planted Heritage Bean varieties, including Scarlet Runner Beans, for eating fresh as well as for drying. Works began in September 2022.
We soaked beans overnight to speed gemination. From the kura wharekai (kitchen) we recycle crushed eggshells as a non-toxic deterrent to protect the tasty emerging shoots from snails and slugs.
Thank you to the Port Employment Precint for supporting our material costs for the project (macrocarpa sleepers) and the Heritage Food Crops Research Trust for the beans.