Broad beans

The Broad Bean is the hardiest of beans and the only one which can be sown in autumn, survive the winter frosts and be harvested in early summer.

Discard any seed that bears small round holes. Support may be required for taller growing varieties. Place a sturdy stake at each corner of the row ( ~1m ) then tie string between the posts at 12 inch ( 30 cm ) intervals. During the early stages regular hoeing will be required. If the weather is dry when the pods are swelling, water copiously. Dig the plants into the soil after cropping to provide green manure. Autumn sowings are vulnerable to slug and bird damage. to provide some control against black fly pinch out the top of the stem as the first beans start to form.

Autumn sowing varieties

Broad Beans Aquadulce Claudia 
The best variety for Autumn sowing. Matures early with long pods and high yields.

For early crops sow in a warm sheltered position. Plant in double rows 23cm (9") apart allowing 90cm (3') between each pair of rows. Set the seeds 5cm (2") deep and 23cm (9") apart. Pinch out the plant tops when they are in full flower to obtain better filled pods and to avoid infestation with black fly. Harvest when the seed shape is visible on the pod.

Broad Beans Imperial Green Longpod 
As the name suggests they produce pods up to 38cm (15") long, each containing up to 9 large green beans. A heavy cropping variety. 

For early crops sow  in a warm sheltered position. Plant in double rows 23cm (9") apart allowing 90cm (3') between each pair of rows. Set the seeds 5cm (2") deep and 23cm (9") apart. Pinch out the plant tops when they are in full flower to obtain better filled pods and to avoid infestation with black fly.

Autumn / Spring sowing varieties

Broad Beans The Sutton
The earliest cropping and most popular, bushy dwarf variety, ideal for autumn or spring sowing in the smaller garden or exposed sites where taller varieties may be blown over. Pinch out the tips when the first pods have set. 

For early crops sow  in a warm sheltered position. Plant in single rows 60cm (2') apart. Set the seeds 5cm (2") deep and 23cm (9") apart.

Bunyards Exhibition
One of the most reliable varieties. Heavy cropping white seeded, long pod. Best sown in Spring.

Spring sowing varieties

Dreadnought
Exceptionally heavy crop. Long pods.

Jubilee Hysor
High cropping, 8/9 beans per pod.

Masterpiece Green Long Pod
A popular early cropper. Very good flavour and quality, ideal for freezing.

Winsor Green
A heavy cropper with deep green beans.

Winsor White.
Basic white seeded. Winsor. Can be Susceptible to frost.

Witkiem Manita
Sow in early spring for a July crop.
 

 Copyright owned © 2006 by author, reproduction in whole or part without written permission is not permitted.

candidate-decrescendo