First Broad Beans !

[Two_Sheds]

me, me, me!
I got the first broad beans! Me and mother had a tablespoonful each of raw baby beans last night with dinner.
These plants are superb: Super Aquedulce Claudia. super aque,autumn sown,26.4 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
I have never ever had such a good crop of Autumn sown broad beans. Highly recommended, but need protection from snow, pigeons, snails, gales etc.

I will post photos tomorrow when I'm less tired. Edit: my photo-resizer isn't working, but here's a link to them: first broads on Flickr - Photo Sharing! and 1st Supers,13.5.08 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[rustylady]

Well done, Twosheds. I overwintered (or tried to) two varieties. The Sutton which failed miserably (too much wind and rain) and Aquadulce. Sutton I pulled up a few weeks ago as they were absolutely pathetic, Aquadulce are looking OK, but nowhere near harvesting. They have lots of flowers and the plants look healthy, but no signs of pods yet.

[jackie j]

I looked at my broadbeans yesterday that I overwintered and found lots of small beans but not sure when to pick them, got lots of flowers so do i now pinch out the tops ? They are quite tall cant remember what variety they are so will check later.

[lainey lou]

I have pods too but they're too small to pick just yet! Congrats Two sheds!!!!

[gojiberry]

Mine won't be far behind yours, They are about 4in long and I am resisting the urge to pull any yet.

Ian

[Flummery]

Ok you win! Am I forgiven now for the spuds?

[T-lady]

They look delicious twosheds - congratulations

I'm growing spring planted Witikiem and a few of them have little pods about 1 inch long. How long does it take for them to turn into something edible? (first time growing broad beans)

[Pumpkin Becki]

Yep, I've got two pods about 4" long (not bad for ten plants hey - I can tell you're all impressed)

[rustylady]

I GOT SOME TOO!!!! Aquadulce overwintered, I'd been moaning that they had loads of flowers and no beans, and went to the lottie today and I've got bean pods! Picked one - the others are a tad on the small side - took it home, ate the beans raw (seven about the size of my forefinger nail - beautiful) The guineapigs ate the pod and loved it.

[Two_Sheds]

My Aquedulce were first, but my spring-sown Red Epicure aren't far behind ... little baby pods already. In a fortnight they'll be edible. The Crimson Flowered are my favourite for looks, but last year's crop was poor:- red_broad_bean on Flickr - Photo Sharing!