Broad beans are flowering

[Bex]

Isn't it too early though. I'm worried the frost will do damage and I'll end up with nothing. Should I cover them with fleece or just let them get on with it. I didn't cover them in the snow a few weeks back and they survived.

Just not sure what I should be doing.

Thanks guys

[Mrs Dobby]

One of the other plotholders on our Allotment also has beans that are flowering! We thought it a bit early, but he's not done anything to protect them yet, and doesnt seem worried, so I'm afraid I've no idea on what to suggest Bex!

I'm sure some of the other more experienced grapes will soon be along to help!

[madderbat]

Hi Bex
Our broad beans are in flower, standing about 9" - 1ft high. We planted them in November and they've withstood everything yet, so we're not planning to do anything to them this time. Weather girl on BBC said that snow wasn't likely to stick this time, so might just be a good watering for them.

Will keep you posted.

[Bex]

Thanks Mrs D and MB, feel much better now.

MB - mine are the same about 1ft high and planted in november. Just thought they should be latter flowering but what do I know.

[Snadger]

Mine are flowering also!
Broad beans flowers have a wonderful scent, I wonder whether this is natures way of compensating for the lack of insects at this time of year by giving them a scent rather than large showy flowers?

[Bex]

I'll have to get on my knees tomorrow Snadger and have a sniff. I wasn't aware that broad beans were scented.

[rustylady]

Broad beans are hardy plants (that's why you can plant them in autumn and leave them to grow through the winter and spring). The only possible problem with flowering early is lack of insects to pollinate. Having said that, I've seen loads of bees about during the last week. Someone told me it's going to snow on Monday so that may screw things up a bit.

[Flummery]

As to their scent, My Ma-in-law - in her 80s, reckoned that as a young lass her favourite perfume was called 'Bean Blossom' or something. I think you don't get the full blast in a garden of mixed plantings but certainly if you pass a bean field it can be rather pleasant.

Flum

[Two_Sheds]

My Nov sown Aquedulce Claudia are flowering, smelling lovely. Only 12" tall, but that's just as well in these gales. I've got a few bees and hoverflies around (as to their food, I have sowed Poached Eggs and Nemophila at the same time specifically to attract/feed them, and I let the first dandelions flower to feed the earliest insects)

[Wendy]

Is this right??? my broad beans are flowering and i only put them outside on Feb 19th, they are just 8" tall.....................are they ok???

[mrskp]

my aquathingies are also about 1' tall (one or two maybe a bit taller) and I've just stuck my head under the fleece and seen lots of flowers.

i'm far too much of a scardy cat to take the fleece off til the weekend. i know they're hardy but it's protection from the wind rather than anything else. maybe i will just take the roof off.

Green Windsors going in this weekend and then i'm away for a few days. I'll spend me whole "holiday" worrying about my babies !!! how does anyone go away in the summer ???

[Nefertari]

Hi

my (autumn planted aquadulce claudia) broad beans were flowering on 14th January, when I checked whether they had survived me going away for Christmas, and have been flowering happily, through snow, hail and frost, ever since. They are in a sheltered corner in Surbiton <insert Good Life joke here>, though.

Nefertari

[Muddy Sarah]

I took my Mum and her friend to my lottie abouyt 6 weeks ago, and they pointed out that my Aquadulces were starting to flower too. They seem to be doing pretty well and have had no protection so far. Have got down and had a "talk" to them but didn't think to have a sniff. Will do that next time I go

Sarah