Broad beans and snow

[treepixie]

My broad beans are up about 2 inches, we might be getting some snow tomorrow, should I fleece them or will they be ok?

[Jimny14]

Well depending on how much snow, how cold it's going to get, how long it's likely to be below freezing, how water retentive your soil is and what variety you're growing they'll either be fine or all rot . Not helpful I know but Id say for a couple of days cold snap you'd get away with it as long as they don't get too cold and wet for an extended period of time. I've tried over wintering broad beans but haven't had much success, but having said that my veg plot is heavy clay in a frost pocket in Lancashire.

[BUFFS]

i suppose, now that we have snow on the ground, that summer is officially over?

[Penellype]

Snow is a good insulator. It is hard frost that is more likely to kill them.

[treepixie]

Thanks for the advice

[hamamelis]

I definitely would *not* fleece your beans; the snow shouldn't be a problem if it just settles round them, but if you fleece over the top and you get a lot of snow, it can all turn into a weight and snap or squish 'em.