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hi all

i would like to save some broadbean seed for planting next year.  do i just dry out some of the beans ???

jo

Basically yes.
What I did last year was I left a few plants for the beans to grow full size, then I cut the plants down and hung them to dry in a sunny spot to dry out.

If you don't need the space I would just leave them to dry on the plant, but if you want the space I don't know what is the best way, dry on plants, dry in pods or dry out of pods, hope somebody else knows as I would like to know.

Broad beans are very easy to save. Leave the best plant unpicked until the pods go dry and crunchy and shake out the seeds. When completely dry store them in an airtight jar. I didn't do the last bit last year and the seeds were riddled with holes - how did the bean weevil find them?

thanks for your help

I think it is important to dry in the pods, otherwise the seeds will go mouldy when you try and germinate them. 

Remember broad beans cross really easily, so if anyone is growing a different variety nearby they can give a different bean next year.

Store the seeds in a paper bag - NOT plastic  in a cool dry place