Broad Bean Question

[broadway]

Hello Folks,

I've planted bb's for the first time and have a question. Some the the beans seem to be generating a 2nd shoot, is this normal, do I cut it back of leave it?

Cheers
Danny

[Two_Sheds]

A 2nd shoot is normal. You'll get 3 or even 4 shoots.

I have to say, you're a wee bit premature.
Most of us don't sow our broad beans until late Oct/early Nov. They shouldn't put on too much leafy growth before winter, or they'll just get battered.

About 4 inches tall would be about right to get a racing start come springtime. You'll still only get a crop about a fortnight earlier than a spring sowing anyway, but some like the challenge

[Digger-07]

I find that an autumn sowing beats the black fly next year. My first batch of 20 seeds went in yesterday and another will go in at the beginning of October and again in November. That way you get the tops as an early spring veg.

[broadway]

Hello Sheds,

Just read the seed packet again and it did say from Nov!! I am only growing 5 as I have limited space therefore would you recommend starting again in Nov or staying with the seeds already sown?

Cheers
Danny

[Two_Sheds]

I wouldn't waste them if they're growing already.

[TrulyGreen]

Hi Danny.....I planted my broadies in early October last year and they were a bit to big & leggy by the time winter had set in. They did OK though (good crop) and I did beat the blackfly. I shall sew in Nov this year though. I would keep the one's you've got going, you can always plant some more in Nov or in the Spring if they fall by the wayside.

Good luck
Christine

[broadway]

Thanks for the advice folks,

As I said in another post I'm trying winter stuff for the first time. As a lot of people on the vine say, why leave beds empty?

I'd really like to get a lotty but all the sites around me have closed registration and some have a few years waiting list!

My veg area consists of 4 1 metre square beds, hanging baskets for tom's, and the good old orange buckets for bits and bobs.

I've been talking to the wife with a veiw of claiming half the lawn for aditional veg space next year, watch this space.

Cheers
Danny

[Snadger]

I've been talking to the wife with a veiw of claiming half the lawn for aditional veg space next year, watch this space.

Cheers
Danny

Dig for Victory Danny!

[zazen999]

Yeah, how much lawn gets used during the year anyway? The only good thing about lawns is the trimmings in the compost heap.

[girl47]

Hi All

Quick question- do you sow BB's direct into the soil or in pots first & plant out?
Any problems to look for / avoid when sowing???

Newbee

[Two_Sheds]

do you sow BB's direct into the soil or in pots first & plant out?
Any problems to look for / avoid when sowing?

Pots first, or else the slugs will get them.
Problems:... wind, rain, gales, frost, snow, snails, slugs ...

[Snadger]

Pots first, or else the slugs will get them.
Problems:... wind, rain, gales, frost, snow, snails, slugs ...

And of course our feathered friends and meeces!

[Two_Sheds]

and when the plants start growing in the spring ... bean weevil, pigeons, blackfly ...


god, this gardening's hard work, ain't it?

[girl47]

Thanks folks..........Bean Weevil , what can I do to avoid this????

[broadway]

Hi All,

Going back to my original question do I leave the 2nd 3rd shoots on? If so do I support on different canes?