New2u

[dominic10]

Hi everyone

I have registered because eventually I am very interested in swapping seeds and looking for advice. I have a largish garden which grows only acid loving plants so I share an allotment elsewhere. I have recently volunteered to help a group on our allotment site who garden to help their recovery from illness. I hadn't intended to be the helper just to help weed and keep tidy but as my little knowledge is welcome I now run the group. Money is tight with the group and we also seem to have more of a problem on this allotment with rabbits and slugs and things.

Today my question is: how do you know when broad beans are ready - they are winter sown? I sampled some yesterday and they are about half an inch/one centimetre at the moment. I've read that you can tell they're ready because they change colour but I am not going to inspect every pod as I don't have the time and we have a huge crop! If they are half an inch now will they be ready in a week or weeks? I know you start to pick from the bottom to encourage more flowers to grow. I live in East Dorset on the coast.

Cheers Margaret

[Two_Sheds]

I just picked a bag full of broadies. They've grown a lot in a week. They don't change colour ... who told you that?
The pods get noticeably fatter - have a feel, and if one feels like it's got seeds in, pod it. If the beans are still too small, leave them another week.

[dominic10]

Thanks - I don't know where I read about the change of colour. I have this capacity to remember the most trivial unimportant facts but can't remember the important stuff! Which is why finding this site is great.

[NOG]

Rabbits are not too much of a problem...but I find you need two for a good stew.....I may come and visit you..We always come to Chistchurch on holidays...I will bring my weeding trousers.

[chuckles]

Hi and Welcome