How Much should I 'nip off' my peas, broadies??

[northepaul]

Hi all

I know you're supposed to 'nip off' the end of peas and beans, but how much and at what size plant do you do it? Is it all beans? French and Runners too?

The friend who told me to lime my potato bed () said its about half the plant and as soon as they are 10" tall....so I am taking that with a pinch of salt (or bucket )

Hope this doesnt sound too thick but I dont want to get it wrong - and yes I did do a search but only found conflicting information!

Thank you all

[Jeanied]

Don't listen to that friend any more, Northepaul - second piece of carp advice they have given.
Peas - just take off the growing tip to encourage branching lower down - it stops a leader forming and increases the number of pods.
Broad beans - they have to get tall, start flowering - set some pods and then you pinch the tip out to deter blackfly invasions.
Runner beans - well I never pinch mine out at all but it makes sense to take out the growing tip once they reach the top of the pole!

[Pumpkin Becki]

I second absolutely everything jeanie says. Top advice!

[northepaul]

Thanks Girls
I dont listen to his advice anymore....but it doesnt stop him giving it!

[taff]

I usually pinch out runner beans at the top of the pole. I forgot to do it to the borad beans last year,huge blackfly invasion, couldn't get rid of the damn things by any means.
This year, I will remember

[rustylady]

Go with JeanieD. And don't listen to your "friend" - I think he or she is trying to sabotage your efforts. The only type of pea I ever nip out as seedlings are sweet peas, which are grown purely for their flowers. Nipping out encourages branching, so more stems.

[Flummery]

I don't nip out anything but sweet peas, and I do that when they are about 4" tall.
Don't believe everything people tell you (except us of course!)