Dwarf varieties also available which grow up to 45cm/18"
Yield per plant
Approx 300g/11oz
Yield per 1.5m/5 ft double row
5kg/10lb
Time between sowing and harvesting
About 14 weeks (Spring sown)
About 32 weeks (Autumn Sown)
Sowing time
March to May - temperature +9C/48F.
Can also be sown in October/November for June Crop in mild
areas however severe winters may dramatically decrease the
crop size
Where to Sow
Outdoors in open ground
Dwarf Varieties in large tubs or troughs
How to Sow
5cm/2" deep - 20cm/8" between seeds - in double rows
60cm/24" apart
After Germination
Keep weed free
Growing on - in Pots
Water regularly. May need supporting with sticks
Growing on- in ground
Water in dry weather
Aftercare
Tall growing varieties will need support. Place stakes at
the end of the rows and string between the posts at
30cm/12" intervals up the stakes.
Pinch off the top 7.5cm/3" of each plant once the first
beans start to form.
Harvesting
Cut young pods at 7.5cm-10cm/2-3" for cooking whole. Harvest
pods for shelling when the beans start to show through the
pods. Crops over a period of about 10 weeks.
Pests and
Diseases
Companion Plants
Chocolate Spot
Indications
Small brown spots which may spread to form large patches.
The crop will be reduced and the plants may die if the infection
is severe. The beans are still edible, but the pods may be
discoloured.
Treatment
Organic
Pull up and destroy infected plant material at the end of the
season Chemical
Try using sprays recommended for Helminthosporium
Prevention
1. Avoid damp or humid sites
2. Avoid overcrowded plants by sowing seeds further apart
Black Bean Aphids
Indications
Leaves distorted, yellowing and stunted distorted growth on
bean pods and withering plant stems with patches of black in the
leaf nodes
Treatment
Organic Spray with a weak solution of soapy water
Use water through a hosepipe to knock the aphids off the plants Chemical Spray with an insecticide containing
Bifenthrin, Imidacloprid or Pyrethrum
Prevention
Try pinching out the tops of plants once four trusses of
pods have formed
Bean
Weevils
Indications
Leaves have U shaped notches around the edges
Treatment
Organic Place a sticky card or bucket of water under the plant
and shaking to remove the weevils from the plant. Then destroy
the bugs underfoot or pick them off by hand Chemical Spray with an insecticide containing Fenitrothion
Prevention
Plant a barrier of garlic along side the rows.
Grow Potato, Cucumber, Maize, Strawberry,
Celery and Summer Savory close by.
Garlic planted alongside can prevent damage
by bean weevils.
Create a bio-diverse environment by planting flowers
nearby to attract bees, ladybirds and other "friendlies". To learn more about companion planting click
here.
In the Kitchen
Storage:
In a cool, dry place for up to 3 days Excess amounts can be
frozen. Prepare as below then blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes,
drain well and allow to cool before freezing
Preparing:
Whilst the whole pods of very young specimens can be eaten much like
mange touts, usually the outer pods of fresh broad beans are too tough
to eat, so the beans need to be removed from the shell and cooked on
their own. Wash in cold water.
Cooking: All
but the youngest early-season broad beans are best blanched in boiling
water for 1 minute. Drain immediately then make a nick in the top of
each bean and slip out of the pale outer skin revealing the deep green
bean.
Cook for a further 3-4 minutes.
Alternatively, you can cook the beans in boiling water for 5-8 minutes
if you don't mind eating the skin.
Best boiled or steamed
For more preparation and cooking information about broad beans plus lots
of recipes visit our sister site
www.recipes4us.co.uk.
