The vegetable garden can be prepared now, for sowing broad beans in November.

When the ground is clear of rubbish and all plant material, it can be covered with a sheet to keep the rain off. Read More »

Runner beans are ready to pick when they are about 20 cm long. The runner bean has bunches of flowers which mature at different rates. So each bean on the stalk is a different age. To harvest beans when they are ready, but not too old, the beans have to be picked every day. If the runner beans are too old when picked, they become fibrous and stringy, and unpleasant to eat. Also, the maturing beans will send a signal to stop further flowers being produced, so less beans will develop. Read More »

We have just had the final lot of Broad Beans in the Vegetable Garden. They have been marvellous.

The first lot of Broad Beans were sown in November. The third and final planting was at the end of March which spread the harvest well.

Picking started on 26 June from those planted in November. So we have been harvesting broad beans from the vegetable garden for 8 weeks. The French Beans are now producing well, and make a pleasant change. At least French Beans do not need podding and can be thrown straight into the pan.

The final lot of climbing French beans were planted out on 18 July. They were put into the broad bean patch when it had been cleared. The broad beans were cut off at ground level, to avoid disturbing the wet soil. The nitrogen rich nodules that formed on the broad bean roots will hopefully feed the french beans.

This is a photo of the planting hole next to the broad bean stump.

The french beans were planted in pots, and knocked out of the pot before planting.

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The bean row has a succession of beans, starting with broad beans planted in November, followed by two later plantings of broad beans, ending with runner beans and french beans.

The early broad beans are now over. The second planting of broad beans, Sutton, have suffered from Chocolate Spot. Read More »

The early broad beans, planted in November, have cropped heavily but are now over, & will be replaced with runner beans.

The broad beans went into good soil with a good structure. Thanks to the bed system, this soil has not been trodden on, because the plants can be harvested from the paths alongside the beds. So no cultivation work is necessary. There are no weeds, and therefore the soil need not be disturbed.

The soil is very wet from recent rains, and would easily loose its structure if moved.

The broad beans will be cut off at soil level, and the runner beans will be transplanted directly into the broad bean patch.

Hazel poles make a strong wigwam to support runner beans and climbing french beans.

The bean plants do not have to be tied to the pole. They find their own way to the pole and then twist themselves around it.

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Runner Beans need poles, trellis or mesh to climb up and provide support.

When the beans are mature, they will have a great mass of foliage, which is heavy, particularly when it is wet following rain. Therefore the supports need to be strong and firmly in place. Read More »

The early broad beans which were sown in November are ready to harvest.

The pods have swollen and the beans inside are properly formed, but still really small and sweet.

It is always a balance between yield and sweet tenderness. Read More »

Gardeners pinch out the tip of Broad Bean plants to prevent damage by Blackfly.

This video demonstrates the process. Click on the arrow at the bottom left of the screen to play the video.

Click here for more information.