Allotments 4 All

Back in November last year I planted super aquadulce broad beans. I have never grown broad beans before.  They are now about 10 inches tall very bushy and many of them are flowering already.  Does this sound normal? I was expecting them to be taller and didn't expect them to flower yet.  Um and in my book it says pinch off the 3 inches off the tops when they start to pod, which presumably they will do quite soon if they are in flower.   The tops are so packed with tips and new growth that if I pinch that out there will be not much left. ???
I am confused.  One or two of them also are showing rust coloured spots. I s this something I should Know about?

where are you gardening? my broad beans are usually that high this time of year if  the weather is good,but it has'nt been and my beans are tiny considering they have been in the ground since november,lots of frost and very cold weather in Lincoln.   your beans may have broad bean rust,or chocolate spot, it wont hurt
your beans (i had it last year) you get it in warm wet weather(rust) and if you plant too close together (chocolate spot). hope this helps /angle shades x

1. No need to pinch out - if you are happy to spray the blackfly with soap.
If you do, wait till you have all the flowers, or till the first sign of fly  - & then eat the shoots.

2. Beat me to it shades - http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0705/broadbeans.asp

thank you Tim and Angel shades thats very helpful. I am in the south and I have plantedthem quite close.  thanks for the tip about eating the shoots, didnt realise you could. hate to waste anything.

Quote from: angle shades on April 07, 2006, 17:53:29
where are you gardening? my broad beans are usually that high this time of year if  the weather is good,but it has'nt been and my beans are tiny considering they have been in the ground since november,lots of frost and very cold weather in Lincoln.   your beans may have broad bean rust,or chocolate spot, it wont hurt
your beans (i had it last year) you get it in warm wet weather(rust) and if you plant too close together (chocolate spot). hope this helps /angle shades x

Whereabouts in Lincoln are you?

Quote from: sarah on April 07, 2006, 18:42:03
thanks for the tip about eating the shoots, didnt realise you could. hate to waste anything.

agree, broadie shoots are one of the great first treats of Spring! :)

redclanger, lottie is near Boultham Park,Lincoln. where are you?/ angle shades x

Mine is up on Wragby Road - a drink one day maybe? :)

Oh (sorry to interrupt) my Nanna lived on the Wragby Road too! I suppose it is a long road ;)

Tis not that long - it's nice - wish I lived there instead of Monks Road.  A lot of the lottiers live on Wragby Road and have gates onto the Lotty site - lucky B's.  Anyway I think I am very very guilty of going off thread yet again so will stop now ;D