How to Pinch-out Tops of Broad Beans
Gardeners often pinch out the tops of broad beans to curb black fly. We very rarely pinch out the tops. But if blackfly are a problem, the tips may be pinched out when the first pods are set.
To pinch out the tops:
- first select the top of the broad bean plant
- Hold the tip between finger and thumb
- pinch the tip so that it breaks away from the plant
- cook the tips as a summer vegetable. They smell wonderful as they are broken off the plant. They are very tender, and may be served hot, or cold with a dressing.
Click here to read about broad bean top omelette
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Watch a video demonstrating pinching out the tops of broad beans
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Pingback by Top Veg » Blog Archive » Taking Out the Tops of Broad Beans. - May 22, 2007 8:00 pm
Hi topveg
Thanks for the video about taking out the growing tops of beans! I wondered how high broad beans should grow before you do this? Mine have grown lots of flowers and the beans are poking through. Do they just get bigger and bigger and produce more beans if you leave them?
Thanks!
Comment by Saz - May 24, 2007 1:53 pm
Hi Saz
The height of broad beans depends on variety and soil fertility. There is a natural limit to the height of the broad bean stalk.
You do not have to take the top out of the stalk. One reason for doing it is to stop them growing so tall that they will fall over on very fertile soil. The main advantage of taking the top out is that the risk of damage by blackfly is reduced.
We take the tops out when we see the first black aphid on the growing centre of the bean. This is easy to see as they usually concentrate on one plant and form a shiny, black mass.
Thanks for your question
TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg - May 24, 2007 3:09 pm