Broad bean haulms

[ChrisH54]

My first lot of broad beans are coming to an end. I know I leave the roots in and dig them in but can I put the haulms into the compost bin as they have quite a lot of black fly on them or do I dispose of them another way because of this.

Thanks a lot

Chris

[Capsid]

Put them in the compost bin. Since the plants won't be growing anymore then the blackfly won't be able to feed off the sap and they'll die; then they will contribute to the rotting process. Of course some may fly off and land on your precious veggies, but blackfly will arrive from many other sources anyway.

[parrot1974]

Would agree with Capsid. I've read of people burning them to get rid of blackfly, but I tend to just leave them somewhere relatively far from other vegetables to wilt a bit, then throw them in the compost heap. But that may be because I've got nothing to burn them in!

[rustylady]

I've got a "Dalek" type compost bin with a lid. Chop up your bean haulms and shove them in, they will rot down well, and I find that blackfly are less portable than greenfly. It's usually ants that move them around, whereas greenfly actually fly.

[bobroberts]

Whilst On The Subject: Does Anyone Know If One Can Just Dig Broad Bean Haulms Into The Garden? Even With The Blackfly? dO THE ROOTS ADD NITROGEN TO THE SOIL LIKE RUNNER BEANS?

[Flummery]

I'd dig the roots in, bob, but I compost the rest. Even with the blackfly. They are better sealed into my bin with its lid than they are loose in the garden.

[Two_Sheds]

Yeah, blackfly compost down really well ~ extra protein.

(crush the plants a bit to squash the critters)

[bobroberts]

I'd come to that conclusion. Nice to know someone agrees with me.
Thanks for answering both of you