Broadbeans!

[PJW_Letchworth]

Hi All,

Just wondering how everyone is getting on with their broad beans?  We've been cropping them for a few weeks now.

My Dad has had to take over the plot for a little while (thanks Dad) due to me damaging the tendons in my ankle and not being able to crouch easily.  :(  Ouch!

So far he has picked about 14lbs of beans, and this is the shelled weight not the picked weight.  The plants are still smothered with little pods so it looks like a bumper year!  We have about 50 plants give or take a few as I'm sure the slugs have had a couple.

[PJW_Letchworth]

[allaboutliverpool]

Congratulations, you have done very well.

The germination of mine this year was poor and I virtually had to strt again, but here's hoping........

[Chris Graham]

We have had a few and more needing picked just now.

But i'm not too sure I like them that much  ;)

[Ishard]

I havent started picking mine yet but they are bulking up nicely.  :)

[sawfish]

been picking mine for 3 weeks and there's still tons! Unlike lots of other stuff thats been a bit dodgy.

[OllieC]

Mine have all bean & gone!

[calendula]

started picking ours today - sown in situ early spring masses on them x2 varieties - can't wait to keep picking  ;D

[Trevor_D]

Started picking the autumn-sown ones towards the end of May; they've finished now, but we're still eating our way through the spring-sown. But I always go for as early a crop as possible, so we get them when there's not a lot else around. When we've got french beans & peas to eat, broad beans always seem less interesting.

[debster]

i had a few off the first plants but also had to replant and if the amount of flowers on there are anything to go by we should have loads, fingers crossed

[Robert_Brenchley]

I lost half my Aquadulce Claudia over winter, then got masses of beans off the survivors. Grando Violetto hasn't been much good but I'm going to keep seed and try again. Crimson-flowered is still in pots.

[raisedbedted]

Best year for BB's for us for ages.  Tried Witkem Manita this year.

And since someone told me about 'double shucking' I now can't get enough of them!  But they started to go over so now I have a potato sack full to the brim to shell tonight.

Broad beans, pancetta and onions with a splash of olive oil mmmmmm

[PJW_Letchworth]

Double shucking?  Sounds interesting.  Tell me more!

[raisedbedted]

Its fiddly!  Basically its boiling them a little until you can get the outer waxy skin off and you are left with the 2 green beans inside.  Without the tough skin they are so sweet and a vibrant green.

I never used to like them much but now look forward to them,
rbt

[sawfish]

I reckon young broad beans knock spots off any french or runner beans for taste.

[Suzanne]

I agree, although I have been having them once a day at least for about 2 weeks now and only just finished the red epicure - which were delicious - the beans just picked as they start to blush. Stereo are just getting big enough to pick!

OH doesn't like them so I get them all to myself. Pity the season will be over in a few more weeks and I will have to wait for next year.

[PJW_Letchworth]

I can think of nothing nicer than my Mum's home made steak and kidney pie with mashed potatoes, broad beans and lots of thick gravy.   :P  It takes me back to my childhood.  ;D

[STEVEB]

read or heard some where that once they stop cropping you can cut them down and theyll go again is this true?

[antipodes]

i will overwinter some Aquadulce again but next time I must remember to eat them when they are young and tiny! once they get big I don't fancy them as much...

[Flunky]

read or heard some where that once they stop cropping you can cut them down and theyll go again is this true?

I was told this at the weekend by a seasoned gardner. He thouhgt i might of felt better as I have now dug all mine up !!

[sawfish]

I think its the small suckers at the base that grow on a bit and produce some beans.