Should my broad beans be flowering already?

[selfraising]

Went into the garden and noticed that my autumn sown broad beans have started to flower. Can't remember from last year as lost most of them! Is this too early?

[shirlthegirl43]

Wow that's gonna be an early crop if they succeed! I am inclined to think that on the whole, nature has the best idea of when it is time to flower and such. Maybe watch for frost forecasts and fleece them if you are worried.

[Florence Fennel]

As Shirl says, they must be at a stage where they're ready to flower. If they've managed to grow through the awful winter we've had this year, I'm sure they'll do ok.

[selfraising]

Thanks guys, I was worried about frosts especially as the temperatures are due to drop again. Thing is they are only about a foot tall and am wondering if I am going to get a decent crop or not. Will the flowering inhibit their growth?

[gojiberry]

What variety are they. If they are the Sutton then they don't grow much more than a foot or so. They still normally produce as many beans as their taller cousins. Should be alright as I have seen plenty of bumble bees about the last couple of days.

Ian

[selfraising]

Gojiberry, they are Aquadulce Claudia and I sowed them in November

[Jono]

Brilliant going if you get a really early crop! My overwintering ones died and the ones I planted to replace them are only 6 inches high, so really interested to hear how you get on.

[Two_Sheds]

well done on getting them through the winter - are they stocky healthy-looking plants, or a bit spindly would you say?
Mine are flowering in the greenhouse, and the outside ones are about a month behind them

[Pies]

noticed a few of mine have just started to set flowers as well

[FoxHillGardener]

I've overwintered aquadulce claudia, Bunyard's exhibition and masterpiece longpod. the Bunyards look a bit pathetic but the others are doing ok. The AC are flowering. They've been under cloches since they went in - October I think. I'm opening up the sides of the cloches on nice days. Lots of bumblies about so fingers crossed for lots of beans

[selfraising]

well done on getting them through the winter - are they stocky healthy-looking plants, or a bit spindly would you say?
Mine are flowering in the greenhouse, and the outside ones are about a month behind them

Some of them are a bit spindly. The ones that are starting to flower, however, seem to be pretty stocky much like I would expect them to be. I did have them under fleece for most of the winter. Some died back a bit/blackened but have produced new shoots.

[selfraising]

I've overwintered aquadulce claudia, Bunyard's exhibition and masterpiece longpod. the Bunyards look a bit pathetic but the others are doing ok. The AC are flowering. They've been under cloches since they went in - October I think. I'm opening up the sides of the cloches on nice days. Lots of bumblies about so fingers crossed for lots of beans

May I ask how tall your ACs are?

[evie b]

broad beans

I planted some broad beans in November and they are flowering.They are about 10ins tall. I kept them covered with polythene all winter.

[FoxHillGardener]

May I ask how tall your ACs are?

they're about 8-10 inches. they had another day out in the sunshine today

[Chef_uk]

Is anyone's leaves coming under attack? I've searched for any caterpillars but no sign of them. Every plant though has a couple of black ants on it 24/7. Could it be them?