Broad Bean Question

[Two_Sheds]

1) Bean weevil ... not a serious problem, do nothing.

2) you don't stake BBs with individual canes, you put one at each corner of your BB crop and put string around them.

[maytreefrannie]

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.

Sorry to be such an ignoramus - but can you eat BB tops as veg? Never heard of it - do you cook them just like other greens?

[MaureenHall]

Broad bean tops are delicious!!! Taste just like the beans. I chuck them in stir fry's or steam them. Same can be done with peas too

[Rocketron]

Hi All,

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

How about cutting them off and planting separately, like tomatoes ?

[Demeter]

How about cutting them off and planting separately, like tomatoes ?

Interesting idea. Would it work? We just left ours on this year and they were fine, got extra beans from them.

Broad bean tops are delicious!!! Taste just like the beans. I chuck them in stir fry's or steam them. Same can be done with peas too

Hahaha - you wouldn't have wanted to eat ours, infested with the dread b***fly all over them - hopefully there will be some clean ones next year

[jammie*dodger]

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

Hi Danny, out of interest how long did it take for the shoots to start to show? I followed the instrcutions on my packet but can't help but worry that they were planted too deep (the kids helped)

JD

[broadway]

Hello JD,

I planted them inside and they grew quite quickly, about 3 - 4 weeks I think. I then planted them out and that's when the other shoots started to appear.

Hope this helps?

[jammie*dodger]

Yes that helps. Planted mine directly into the soil 2 weeks ago. Not to worry just yet then.

Cheers, JD