1st broad beans of the year

[Skotch]

At what stage is it possible to pinch out the tops of the plants? Most of my BB's have flowered and when last inspected, I didn't see any blackfly

Skotch

[Alison]

I only pinch out the tops of mine on the rare occaisions I get black fly. Life is too short to do things if you don't need to.

[Soyabean]

Broadbeans

My beans are huge! I've had some tiddly ones that I've just sliced and given to the children but the rest are getting bigger by the day. Very pleased as they are the third lot that went into my new sparkley alotment. The first lot fell to the mice, the second lot - planted in the greenhouse - failed to germinate, did the third lot in bags on the lounge windowsill, potting them on when they germinated. Then had a huge attack of pea and bean weavil. Feel very blessed that I've got any at all! Didn't know the bit about the courgettes and pumpkins either, ooh, its a steep learning curve!

[gojiberry]

If there are no blackfly there is no need to pinch the tops out.

Ian

[Two_Sheds]

I just picked our first broadies (Super Aquedulce, sown in November, ravaged by snow & frost, but half of them came through, no protection): tiny though, each bean was as big as half your little fingernail
Give 'em another week though

[Dave & Kate N Wales]

Ours have plenty of flowers and i think i saw some tiny pods starting to form too. These are on the 1st lot, the 2nd lot were planted direct and are only a few inches high so far. Can't wait for stuff to start being ready to harvest

[Jeanied]

All mine are very late this year (lost every last one of the overwintered ones so had to start again) - but my HSL crimson flowered are just coming into bloom in a tub in the garden - growing them here at home, not on the lottie, so I can keep the strain and save some seeds for next year - bulk up the batch so I can eat some!

[chris]

jealous!

I really want to try that broad bean falafel that Alys Folwer made on that Edile Garden programme.

[Nicos]

Congrats on the first taste of the year!...mole indeed!!...that made me chuckle!

[Jeanied]

Just noticed that this thread spans two growing years - don't feel quite so incompetent now! All the piccies and reports of crops belong to last year!

[jacob]

Vast jealousy. Overwinterers didn't. And I've been eyeing the replanting suspicious ever since. All I ever do on this site is moan about broad beans!

Well done you early croppers!

[nuttyrockeress]

Nicos, how are your plants doing - this time last year you said they were around 8" high. Ooo mine are at least....... 6" quite paltry really

[Nicos]

Nicos, how are your plants doing - this time last year you said they were around 8" high. Ooo mine are at least....... 6" quite paltry really

Aww..thanks for asking!!!

I've been out esp with my ruler to give you an accurate reading!!!

Tallest is 11" and shortest is 7"...most are around 9" ( mind you a week ago they were much smaller- all this sun and rain has brought them on a treat!)

6" is fine- plenty of time for a decent crop!

Both years planted Easter weekend.

[winstonwobble]

first time i'v grown bb pleanty of flowers and on closer inspection they have little pods growing 1 question why are some flowers pink and some white? looking forward to tasting them dont think i'v ever had a bb julia

[Pumpkin Becki]

T_S , the Aquadulce Claudia I've grown from your seeds are looking really healthy. No sign of flowers yet, but really lovely strong plants. Thank you!!