broadbean advice please

[colins]

Hi all
Please could I have some advice on my broad beans, I sowed a crop for over the winter period 3 weeks ago and they are already well over a foot tall with flowers appearing, do I need to put a fleece over them or will they be ok unprotected when we finally get the predictable frosts, I live in the south east so it is still very mild here, any advice gratefully received

[Noosner]

What variety of bean are they, Collins? Some sorts are hardier than others, but I'm not sure what the situation is if once they are flowering. I expect somebody more knowledgeable will be able to help. I always fleece my broad beans overwinter, but I do live in Yorkshire.

[Scarlet]

It's a little early to be planting overwintering broad beans. Best time is november. As you have found planting earlier they will put on too much growth (sometime flowers!) and then the cold will hit.you could try covering them over but I would also recommend sowing more in November. Overwintering broad beans have always been hit and miss for me and I get better results sowing in a Cold GH towards the end of feb, harden off and plant out.

[Dorothy rouse]

I've done the same, sown in modules,now about 8/9 inches high, every one germinated! I'm just going to plant them out, cos if I don't they'll fall over! Indeed to sow more in Feb time. Think the wet and very warm Oct are what's done it.

[Scarlet]

The autumn sowing varieties I usually sow are aqudulce claudia and bunyards exhibition. I'm in the south west, I've never fleeced mine although if planted in November they grow much slower and often they are only a few inches high but have good strong roots. If they survive over winter they then soon put on growth early Spring.

[Scarlet]

I think Oct is too early to sow Dorothy.

[Dorothy rouse]

Oh dear, the packet said Oct onwards, and it's been so warm, I had to plant them on the Plot today, we'll see how they get on, nothing to loose, and plenty more in the packet if they don't survive! They are Aquadulce.

[Jay-ell]

Planted out aguadulce and dwarf Sutton last week as well. Will have to see how it goes. Worst comes to worst I'll replant in Feb. I've still got a packet of Bunyards Exhibition which also says plant Oct onwards.

[Two_Sheds]

I sowed a crop ... 3 weeks ago and they are already well over a foot tall with flowers

Mmmmm, too early my friend.

They need to be only about 4" tall when winter arrives (so sow them in November).

Your lovely lush foliage is going to turn black in the frosts. However, all is not lost: cut back all the foliage to the ground as soon as it turns black. The roots should survive the winter if they don't get waterlogged, and the foliage will regrow in the spring.