Broad beans

[Pineberry]

Broad beans like it cool, I am wondering if its possible to sow them now (quick to crop ones) for harvest October, November) is it possible or am I just mad?

[kathyd]

My broad bean packet says can sow Sept-Nov in areas where it's mild in winter... and you can definitely over-winter them under cover. So sow away, but be prepared to fleece if the weather gets too cold. At worst, you're only risking a few beans . I'll be doing the same thing, we can compare notes in the spring .

[Pineberry]

Sure thanks for that. Off to sow shortly then.
Which variety are you sowing by the way?

[hamsterqueen]

I haven't planted any for harvest late in the year, but the best success I had with Broadies was with the ones sown in October and overwintered, by the time the blackfly came I had big strong plants.

[Two_Sheds]

My broad bean packet says can sow Sept-Nov in areas where it's mild in winter...

Yes, that's right.

But you won't be harvesting them before May next year.


They are not a quick crop

[Pineberry]

I just stuck in a packet of Sutton variety. So if germinate now, which I presume they will, they will die off in winter? Or will overwinter maybe?
I was hoping they may crop in October, November time.

[Jardiniere]

you should have waited! I never plant any til end of Oct and its warmer here! Would be very surprised if you get anything at all....but I like surprises.....keep us posted. They will not be ready til May tho as 2 sheds has said!

[hamsterqueen]

I am in ar South East corner, plant my broad bean seeds in October and they are ready april/may..everything comes to he who waits!

[kathyd]

I planted some too early here a couple of years ago, in my polytunnel, and they did grow - but they flowered at about 6" high and there were no insects to pollinate them and then it got cold and...

People on here recommended that I cut them back almost to the ground, and they'd sprout again in spring. Which they did. But remember, these were protected by the tunnel, they weren't outside.

Having said that, I recently cut all my existing 'past it' broadies right down, and they've started re-growing quite strongly, and a couple are now flowering - so hoping for a few beans from them before winter. Although mummy and daddy beans had choccie spot, so it may be a waste of time anyway. But nothing tried, nothing gained or learned eh .

Pineberry - I've tried various varieties, can't honestly remember what any more, but my latest packet is one I bought over here which are 'de Seville', so presumably they're Spanish?? They all seem to perform pretty much the same for me, haven't noticed one being much better or worse than any of the others.

[jacob]

Probably a bit late now, but I certainly sow them in shadier corners in June for a late August/Sept crop. They're often better than the spring/early summer crop.

I love broad beans.

[Pineberry]

Well, I sown mine on the 17th of August, so will see what will happen. Will update here.
If does not work, at least I will not wonder anymore whether its possible.

[Pineberry]

A bit of update, my broad beans are in full flowers now, noticed that yesterday. Just gonna see if anything else will materialise this season still or will be dead.

[BeatTheSeasons]

A bit of update, my broad beans are in full flowers now, noticed that yesterday. Just gonna see if anything else will materialise this season still or will be dead.

With the unseasonably warm autumn weather maybe you will get some insects to pollinate? If not perhaps you should go out with the paintbrush!

[Two_Sheds]

I wouldn't bother hand pollinating them. They're going to stop dead in their tracks when the frost comes