Broad bean supports

[Yorky]

Is 50mm plastic garden mesh suitable for supporting broad beans? They're Super Aquadulce.

[Alison]

I tend to plant mine in blocks and then put a short cane in each corner and put two rings of string round the canes. The plants are then supported either by each other or the string. I use that mesh for my peas as the tendrils cling to it nicely. Suppose you could use if for beans but they won't cling and I find they more need something to lean against. Mine are currently too short to need support yet seem to be flowering excessively....

[Capsid]

Usually it's enough to just use bamboo sticks and string. The plants can support themselves most of the time, but they may need a little help on windy days. That said I'm not supporting mine which I may live to regret. The mesh should be more than adequate.

[Yorky]

Thanks. I take the point that the plants won't cling to the mesh- I was just going to put it on one side of them but perhaps now I'll do the following:

Attach batons to each end of the raised bed (6' long approx) and attach rows of string.

Can anyone advise on:

the height of the batons?
height & number of rows of string?
should the string be woven in and out of the plants?( they're now 4-6 inches tall)

[Capsid]

Baton height should be around 3-4 foot. Just one length of string should suffice at about 3 foot. If the plants are in double rows then there is no need to run the string between the plants.

[Yorky]

Thanks again. I've looked at this again and I think I'll use the plastic garden mesh with batons already attached and put it behind the plants - the prevailing south westerly wind being in front.

Would that suffice?