Broad Beans
Soil Preparation
Beans normally follow potatoes in the rotation.
These days I don't dig the soil again, I just fork in some horse manure
compost and add some seaweed meal.
When to Sow
You can sow broad beans from October onwards. I prefer to start the plants
in the greenhouse in September and plant out in November.
By sowing in autumn you can have beans as early as May, but results are
a bit variable, fleece is worth keeping on standby just in case the temperature
drops.
Sowing
Sow one bean directly 5cm (2in) deep and 23cm (9in) apart in rows approx.
30cm (12in) apart.
Maintenance and Feeding
Tall varieties require some support.
Give an occasional feed of Blood, Fish and Bone.
When to harvest
For autumn-sown seeds: May – July
For spring-planted young plants: June - August
For spring-sown seeds: June – September
Varieties
Auadulce Claudia (Autumn sowings)
The Sutton ( Autumn or Spring)
Meteor Vroma (Spring sowings)
Bunyards Exhibition (Spring sowings)
Masterpiece Green Longpod (Spring sowings)