Broad beans

[julie williamson]

Is it too late in the season to sow another row of broad beans?

[Lesley Jay]

No it's not to late Julie. If you sow them now they should be ready by the end of Septmeber. Welcome to the grapevine!

[George Gray]

Broad Beans

As a matter of interest what are peoples experiences with sowing Aquadulce Broad Beans in November outdoors. The last couple of years I have had a pathetic crop and the ones that survived were only a week or two ahead of ones I sowed in March as regards cropping. Is it worth the bother?

[Geordie]

George, try sowing in October so they get some extra growth before winter sets in. Either that or sow in largish pots and overwinter in a cold greenhouse.

[julie williamson]

I tried sowing them in the autumn, but only a few came up. Think they were eaten by mice or other beasts over the winter..Think they stand a better chance by starting them off inside and planting them out when a decent size in the warm spring weather..

[veggiemo]

This is the first year I have had the chance to compare Aqua Dulce sown in October and planted out in Novermber against Longpod and Bunyards sown in Feb and planted out in March.

The Aqua Dulce are about 4ft tall and are cropping, but the flowers and pods are only up to about half the plants' height.... the crop is not going to be huge..... maybe 4 kilos from about a dozen plants if I am lucky. They now also have Chocolate Spot which I have never had on the Spring sown beans.

The Longpods on the other hand are about 3 1/2ft tall with zilllions of flowers massed right up to the tips.... the Bunyards are 4ft tall also with blossoms right up to the tips..... These plants are buzzing with beas.... In one bed which has about 24 plants I counted over 20 bees this evening and the fragance from the flowers is almost overpowering.

I cropped more on a dozen Longpods in a week last year than I will get from the entire Aqua Dulce before they finish....

I guess if I have the space next year I will give the Aqua Dulce another go but with more rigid protection than I gave them this year (just fleece).... A friend grew them in her Polytunnel and they have been cropping well for the past few weeks.... maybe that is the solution.

I've also been pondering on a possible pollination conflict and wonder if anyone has any thoughts on this....

My BB beds are heaving with pollinators.... as are my sweet peas and the self-sown Poached Egg plants etc.....

If the bees etc love these other plants so much will they simply fly past my lonely courgettes which are crying out for pollinators? Am I actually making a mistake by providing them with so much gourmet food that they will turn their noses up at lesser fare?

Kind regards,
Mo