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 »
broad beans french beans harvest runner bean vegetable gardenThe 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.
broad beans french beans harvest runner bean vegetable gardenHazel 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.
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.
blackfly broad beans diseaseGardeners 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:
Broad Bean Latin name Vicia faba
The final sowing of broad beans have emerged into good strong plants.
This vegetable garden has very fertile soil, and the beans grow vigorously, and larger than the seedsmen predict. Therefore, we plant them further apart than recommended. Also we do not plant in the traditional double rows, for the same reason. But because our beds are quite narrow, and because we do not have double rows, our rows are actually closer together than the seed packet advises.
French Beans Phaseolus vulgaris
French beans are a must for the vegetable garden. They are simple to grow, delicious and very nutritious.
French beans are shorter, more tender and tubular than runner beans. French beans are much easier to prepare in the kitchen, as they only have to be topped and tailed, not sliced like runner beans.
French beans grow very quickly, taking about 12 weeks to come to harvest. Like runner beans they must be picked regularly to keep the flowers coming.
Dwarf french beans are bushy, but usually need a simple support of twigs or strings, to keep them upright.
Climbing French beans need wigwams or stakes similar to runner beans.
Sunny, sheltered sites are best for french beans. The seeds grow best in a warm situation and pollination is hampered by cold winds.
Latin name: Aphis fabae (in the family of Aphididae)
Blackfly is a serious pest of broadbeans in the kitchen garden. A whole mass of shiny black insects cover the growing tips, flower buds and the underside of young leaves of the broad bean plant.
Keep a sharp look out for blackfly on spring-sown beans when they are in flower in June. One advantage of sowing broad beans in the autumn is that they tend to flower early, producing beans in May or June, before any blackfly appear.
Blackfly suck the sap from the broad bean plant causing stunted growth with curled, distorted leaves, and poor crop yields.
Discourage blackfly attack by pinching out the growing tips of the broad bean plants when they are in full flower. Some gardeners pinch out the tops when five flowers have formed, or when the first pods have set. Remember the pinched out tops may be cooked & eaten!
Click this link to see a video of how to pinch out the tops of broad beans.
Blackfly control:
Contact insecticides work when they actually touch the blackfly. They have short persistence, so thorough treatment, especially of the underside of leaves, is necessary. Aphids protected by curled leaves are unlikely to be controlled.
Synthetic pesticides generally give a higher level of control. Always read the label for instructions on the use of the product and harvest intervals. The harvest interval is the period of time between spraying the crop and it being safe to eat.
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