Saving Broad Beans

[Peteyd]

I have got a load of broad beans still in their pod, does anyone have any advice as to the best way to save them for seed for later in the year or next year?

Saving for seed isn't something that I'm very good at but I am looking to try a bit harder.

Any advice would be greatly received.

[Jimny14]

The way I do it is to leave the pods on the plant until they're really mature and the pods start to dry out. I then cut em off and leave them somewhere airy to fully dry. Then remove the dry pod and the bean should be hard inside. I then keep these in an envelope until planting time.

[veggiechicken]

Good advice from Jimny and at Realseeds https://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedsavinginfo.html

[Peteyd]

Thanks, it would appear I have been a bit premature and have picked the pods already (admittedly, I had done this before I asked the question ) .

Do you think it is worth still trying to dry them out or just chalk it up to experience and try again next year.

I have already removed the plants - space is at a premium on my mini-plot and my leek plants are waiting in the wings for their shot at centre stage.

[veggiechicken]

Eat them, don't think they'll be mature enough to save!
You'll be prepared next year.

[Peteyd]

Sounds like a good idea, they have been rather delicious this year. I have never really liked broad beans until this year, I think it is something between the fact that they grow about 3m away from where we cook & eat them and us finding new ways to eat them aside of boiling them for about 6 hours.

I know that food always tastes better and more flavourful when it has been home-grown but I think the smugness that accompanies a totally home-grown meal is a real factor in enjoying it.

[Mark_Riga]

If the 'scar' on the seed is black when taken out of the pod, they would be ok to dry (and skin tough to eat). If this was the case, then leave a few in the pods somewhere dry to mature further. I grow broadbeans for houmous and leave the pods to go black and dryout on the plants, keeping a lookout for rodents.
These would probably finish ripening if left in the pod.

[Peteyd]

I'll have to get them out of their pods tomorrow and have a look. Currently they are sitting on the side waiting for their divine purpose.

[Mark_Riga]

Just get one or 2 out, if they look like the picture and detach quite easily from the pod, you can leave the pods somewhere not too hot or damp to dry for a few weeks before removing any more seeds. If the seeds are well attached to the pods, they are best eaten.