As the weather finally begins to warm, we can at last start thinking about growing this year’s cops. A good one to start the year off with are broad beans. Broad beans are a hardy and rewarding crop, offering sweet and tender beans that can be enjoyed in various dishes, or even just eat them raw! Here’s a quick guide to help you grow your own broad beans:
1. Sowing Time:
- Autumn Sowing: In mild areas, sow hardy varieties like ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ in October or November for an early harvest.
- Spring Sowing: In colder regions, sow in February or March.
2. Selecting Varieties:
- ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ is ideal for autumn sowing due to its hardiness.
- ‘The Sutton’ is a compact variety suitable for small spaces or containers.
3. Sowing Seeds:
- Direct Sowing: Plant seeds 5cm deep and 15-23cm apart in well-prepared soil. Rows should be 60cm apart.
- Indoor Sowing: For early crops, sow seeds individually in 9cm pots indoors in late winter.
4. Soil Preparation:
- Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with fertile, moist but well-drained soil.
- Incorporate well-rotted compost or manure to improve soil fertility.
5. Plant Care:
- Support: Tall varieties may require staking to prevent lodging.
- Watering: Keep soil moist, especially during flowering and pod development.
- Pinching Tips: Remove shoot tips after the first pods set to deter black bean aphids and encourage pod development.
6. Harvesting:
- Harvest when pods are well-filled, typically 15 weeks from spring sowing.
- For sweeter beans, pick when the scar on the bean is still white or green.
7. Post-Harvest:
- After harvesting, cut plants down to the base and compost them, but leave roots in the ground to boost nitrogen levels.
By following these steps, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of broad beans, enriching your meals and your garden soil alike. See rhs.org.uk for more helpful growing tips!
Grow East Anglia 