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Broad beans

Russell ParryRussell Parry Posts: 8
in Fruit & veg

Is it recommended to pinch out the growing tips of broad beans?

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Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener LeicsPosts: 6,473 ✭

    Hi Russell, only when they are fully grown (ie about 3-4ft tall) and that is only to prevent blackfly infestation.  I usually wait until one plant has a sign of blackfly, then pinch out the tips of them all.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • David Matthews2David Matthews2 Posts: 454 ✭

    No sign of blackfly here in coastal West Wales, as yet! BUT no sign of any pollinators either - my raised bed of overwintered 'Acuadulce' have had flowers on them since early April but nary sign of embryonic pods forming as expected. Warmer weather & "damping down" at dusk may help, says my learned (venerable) neighbour, so we can but try??

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 43,612 ✭

    Mine are flowering too - I've given the ground a good soaking as it's very dry - and I'll be fleecing them tomorrow night as we've been promised -2C

    No-one knows if you've done your housework, but everyone knows if you've done your gardening !
  • Jazzy2Jazzy2 Posts: 39

    hi does pinching out the tip stop black fly.

    jazz

  • Valerie DuffyValerie Duffy Posts: 3

    I pinched out all the tips of mine last year and had no problems at all

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 43,612 ✭

    Don't forget that if you do take out the tops of your broad beans, you can cook and eat them - delicious steamed with a little butter image

    No-one knows if you've done your housework, but everyone knows if you've done your gardening !
  • ItalophileItalophile Posts: 1,647

    Meh, I've got too many other things to eat, Dove. BBs are like peas, beans, etc. They need plenty of water when they're flowering. I planted mine last November and sort of forgot about them. Went to have a look, found tons of flowers but very dry soil. A couple of good soakings and now there are pods all over the place.

  • Russell ParryRussell Parry Posts: 8

    Thanks for all the advice

     

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 43,612 ✭

    Hi Italophile - I watered mine yesterday evening after a fortnight of dry weather - it's been raining ever since imageimage

    No-one knows if you've done your housework, but everyone knows if you've done your gardening !
  • SavvySalliSavvySalli Posts: 9

    This is my first time growing BBs - I didn't realise I could plant them out yet!  I'm on the edge of Salisbury Plain and we get strong winds (probably created by the army manoeuvres!) but I can shelter them, from the wind not the sun.  We're supposedly getting almost down to freezing, if not frost, tonight - aren't they likely to get frost-bite? or do we fleece them up?

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