This winter was the first time I have tried early sowings of broad bean aquadulce claudia.
I sowed one lot in October. They germinated well, and I planted them out in November, about 3" tall. They grew until Christmas, by which time they were about 5".
I sowed a second batch inside in January. They too germinated well, and I planted them out before the worst weather to prevent them going spindly.
Just before the worst frost and snow arrived, I covered both batches, so they were effectively in a cold frame.
February...........the first batch were black and withered.
March...........I sowed Jubilee Hysor. First batch AC dead.
April.............Jubilee Hysor coming up very strong, and look set to overtake the January sowing of aquadulce claudia.
Let's see what happens. But right now, because hysor beans are better to eat, I don't think I shall waste my time and money on aquadulce claudia again!
hadn't heard of Hyssor before do they taste that much better, or produce a better crop?
I gather there are 2 main groups of broad beans. "Long pods" and "Windsor" types.
Long pods are hardier than Windsor, and have up to 10 beans per pod. Windsor have only 7 beans per pod, but are better to eat.
The idea with sowing long types like aquadulce claudia is to get an earlier crop, and to avoid the worst ravages of black fly. Unfortunately, aquadulce claudia isn't hardy enough here in Denmark, so there is no point in sowing it I think. :(
If it's not hardy you're better off sticking to Windsors! Give up on the early crop, and stick to summer.
I grew Hysor last year and was quite happy with them, so sown them again this year!
They are ready for planting out, perhaps I will get round to it next week.
I've tried most of the usual types including the windsors and have always enjoyed the bright green beans of Masterpiece green longpod best.
Last year I tried Marttock Beans and they were superb, lots and lots of small pods with small tasty green beans, so I'd recommend them too. Although they ripen a wee bit later.
I'm trying a variety called Supersimonia for the first time this year as well as the usual beans so we'll see.
I think beans planted in early spring seem to catch up pretty quick, therefore I dont really see the need for the autumn sowings, too much hassle. I suppose its a bit of fun through the winter though.
Quotetoo much hassle.
My thoughts exactly!
I haven't found the over wintered beans a hassle. I put them in 3" pots in the garden and left them to it. Then planted out Jan / Feb. so far so good, but that might be tempting fate !!
Interesting to read about the preferences of everyone here tho
I find they're no hassle at all, since I just plant them out in autumn and leave them to their own devices. It works in a mild winter; last year half of them died during February, and this year I didn't bother. If the summer is a bit better this year I'll probably try again.
I planted Aquadulce claudia for the first time last autumn (last year was my first year with a plot).
I had been dissapointed that they were knocked back a bit by the harsh weather, but have to say that now they look great and are definitely ahead of those planted out recently on neighbouring plots. If the beans are yummy I'll probably plant them again for overwintering. Gave me some interest over the winter and I LOVE broad beans!!
;D
I think you may have gone wrong trying to protect the aquadulce - would probably have been better to let them tough it out.
i tried overwintering for the first time last year (just my luck we ended up with a harsh winter :-\) i let mine tough it out and the weather won :'( they all died. i resowed in February under cover to plant out in March like i normally would do and they refused to germinate, never had that before ???. decided to give them a miss this year will try again in the Autumn.
As I say, half of mine dies last year, and they never had any protection. I didn't bother overwintering them this year. If you get a mild winter, it's worth doing.
Sounds as though I've been lucky then as I didn't provide mine with any protection, and despite taking a bit of a knock in growth after the worst of the weather, they're doing great now. Our plots are quite exposed too...very lucky I think!! :D
Quote from: sawfish on April 22, 2009, 17:41:09
I've tried most of the usual types including the windsors and have always enjoyed the bright green beans of Masterpiece green longpod best.
Last year I tried Marttock Beans and they were superb, lots and lots of small pods with small tasty green beans, so I'd recommend them too. Although they ripen a wee bit later.
I'm trying a variety called Supersimonia for the first time this year as well as the usual beans so we'll see.
I think beans planted in early spring seem to catch up pretty quick, therefore I dont really see the need for the autumn sowings, too much hassle. I suppose its a bit of fun through the winter though.
How fantastic to see that someone is growing the Martock Bean. I live in the village of Martock in South Somerset where the bean was grown for decades. Local Martock people are called "beanies" because the wealth of the village was derived from the Martock Bean...we are trying to encourage the growing of our bean by all allotment keepers in the village.....well done!!