Harvesting broad beans question

[TrulyGreen]

Hi Everyone

Hope you don't think this is a stupid question.......when do I harvest my broad Beans

I picked a few last week as the pods are quite large. When I opened the pods the beans were a bit small..... they are AQUADULCE CLAUDIA.

Should I wait until the pods are about 15" long do you think?

Many thanks

Truly (truly ) Green

[Shortie]

Hi TruelyGreen

I'm new to the world of growing broadies but have been told to wait and harvest the lot in one go. I was thinking they were like runners - the more frequently you pick them the more you get - but they're not. The guy on the plot next to me is going to just lift the lot (roots and all) when the pods start 'turning'. I'll wait till the same but try Two_Shed's trick and trim them down to 1 inch off the ground and see if I get a second crop from the plant

[Snadger]

Try and leave the roots in the ground so that the following crop can take advantage of the fixated nitrogen. Preferably brassicas!

[Jardiniere]

Fixated nitrogen? Will it need a psychiatrist?

[TrulyGreen]

Many thanks for your replies.....I never thought of harvesting in one go Shortie....good idea as I can freeze them. I will have a go at cutting to one inch and see what happens, although I had thought of putting another crop in when they are finished. Thanks for the advice Snadger I will leave the roots in.....what wonderful plants they are and how clever nature is giving us a helping hand.

[rustylady]

Have a gentle squeeze before you pick the pods. You should be able to feel how big the beans are. I much prefer small tender beans, but how small do you go? They may need a good soak with water to swell the beans. I wouldn't leave them to get too big, they will be tough.

[TrulyGreen]

Ha ha Jardiniere.....I will need a psychiatrist to help with the stress....isn't gardening meant to be relaxing!! Only joking loving every minute!

[TrulyGreen]

Many thanks rustylady.... read your reply quickly and I thought you said sneeze ....bit bemused and then went back and took another look....off to grab the hose.....!

[Two_Sheds]

I don't think your beans are big enough for a meal yet.
Mine are still 'baby' beans ... not enough for a mouthful. Bit more sun and rain and they'll be ready for the freezer/pot

[Shortie]

Argh! Sorry TruelyGreen, my maths was obviously all spent up at work earlier today. I meant cut it down to 4 inches not 1

[TrulyGreen]

Ooops....too late.....only joking Shortie...many thanks.
TruelyGreen

[silverfork]

I harvested all my broadies in one go last year and froze the surplus. I got a book on home freezing for 50p, which advised blanching them for a couple of minutes, then plunging them into cold water. This means you can easily slip them out of their skins before freezing. It seemed like a bit of a faff, but they were absolutely delicious. My partner has never liked them before, but he put in a special request to grow loads this year!

[Demeter]

when the pods start 'turning'.

Sorry - idiot question - what do you mean by the pods turning?

Never grown them before, and I am seriously hoping that the broadies we are growing this year are nicer than the foul stuff I remember from childhood!

[Mike and Louise]

We pick our beans/peas when you can see the 'bulge' of the seed inside.

Another thing we do is to gently tap the pod to feel/hear if it feels 'full'. You can tell the difference between a full pod and one that has very small seeds inside. Pods with small beans/peas inside will sound more hollow than a pod full of big beans/peas.

[Two_Sheds]

Ideally you want to eat your broadies when the beans are small and sweet (no skins). Don't wait until the pod is really bulging, or you can rattle the pod like a maraca (sp?) or they'll be tough, woody and 'orrible.