Growing Broad Beans
Broad beans are the first of the legumes to mature and there's nothing quite like shelling and eating the first crop of the year. But with successional spring sowings you can have broad beans from June into September. The flowers also have a delightful scent - an added bonus.
Sowing
In mild areas of the country on sheltered sites you can sow certain varieties (such as The Sutton or Superaquadulce) - in the autumn for a really early crop. During particularly cold weather it pays to cover the plants with cloches or other forms of protection.The main sowing period is March and April. Sow in February under cloches for an earlier crop; sow in May to extend the crop throughout the summer months and into autumn. Sow 2in (5cm) deep and 8in (20cm) apart; dwarf varieties like The Sutton can be sown 6in (15cm) apart. They are best sown in double rows, with the rows 8in (20cm) apart. If a second double row is needed this should be positioned 2ft (60cm) away from the first. Sow a few extra at the end of the rows to fill in any gaps from seeds that don't germinate.
Growing
Taller varieties will need supporting so place a stout stake at each corner of the double row and run string around the stakes at 1ft (30cm) intervals. Broad beans can be attacked by aphids. One way to reduce the damage -and produce an earlier crop -is to pinch out the top 3in (7.5cm) of the stems. when the first pods start to form. Don't throw these tops away as they can be lightly steamed and eaten.
Harvesting
If you want you can pick pods when they are 3in (7.5cm) long and cook them whole. But when picking pods to shell wait until the beans start to show through the pod, but don't leave them too long - the scar on the bean should still be white or green - not black.
Growing French Beans
Where space is tight and when pod set in runner beans has been a problem it would be worth considering growing French beans; generally they're easier to grow than runners. Some varieties produce coloured pods, which makes them useful in the ornamental garden. There are two types -bush and climbing.
Sowing
The main sowing period is May and June; sow in April under cloches or similar for an earlier crop; sow in early July to extend the season into September/October. Sow seeds 2in (5cm) deep 4in (10cm) apart in rows 18in (45cm) apart. Sow a few extra at the end of the rows to fill in any gaps where seeds don't germinate.
Growing
The bush types may not need supporting but short twigs can be used to support the plants to help keep the beans off the soil. Climbing varieties will need twiggy sticks or netting to scramble up. Mulch around the plants in June.
Harvesting
Begin picking the pods when they are 4in (10cm) long. Pods are ready when they snap easily and before the beans can be seen through the pod. By picking regularly you can crop plants for up to seven weeks.
Top Green Tip : Once all the pods have been harvested, water the plants and feed with a liquid fertiliser. This way you can get a second cropping of smaller, yet worthwhile pods.
Growing Runner Beans
Unbelievably, some people don't like runner beans - the usual reason being that shop-bought runners can be tough and stringy. Growing your own and picking them just when they're ready will show you just what you've been missing. Also you can choose stringless varieties, such as Moonlight and Firestorm , which are even more succulent. Dwarf varieties such as Hestia or TZ111 don't require support making them perfect for growing in patio containers.
Sowing
Sow beans from late May to the end of June 2in (5cm) deep and 9in (23cm) apart. Alternatively, for an earlier crop, sow the beans in 4in (10cm) pots at the end of April indoors and plant out at the end of May 9in (23cm) apart. The traditional method of growing is to sow a double row with the two rows 18in (45cm) apart; this makes supporting the plants easier.
Growing
Runner beans need a support to climb up. The traditional method is to grow them individually up inwardly sloping 8ft (2.4m) bamboo canes tied near their top to a horizontal cane. If you slope the bamboo canes so that they meet in the middle and tie them here so that the ends of the canes extend beyond the row you will find picking is easier and the yield is usually better. When growing in beds and borders, a wigwam of canes takes up less room and helps produce an ornamental feature. Loosely tie the plants to their supports after planting; after that they will climb naturally. Remove the growing point once the plants reach the top of their support. Keep an eye out for slugs and blackfly that may attack the plants.
Harvesting
Start harvesting when the pods are 6-8in (15-20cm) long and certainly before the beans inside begin to swell. It is vital that you pick regularly to prevent any pods reaching maturity; once this happens plants will stop flowering and no more pods will be set. If you pick regularly plants will crop for up to eight weeks.
Top Green Tip : Runner beans sometimes fail to set and there are a number of causes - and solutions. Ensuring the soil is constantly moist and doesn't dry out is the first key to success; mulch the soil in June. Misting the foliage and flowers regularly - especially during hot, dry weather - will increase humidity around the flowers and help improve flower set. Flower set is better in alkaline, chalky soils. If your soil is neutral or acidic it pays to water with hydrated lime. Another way to improve flower set is to pinch out the growing tips of the plants when they are 6in (15cm) high. The flowers formed on the side shoots usually set better.
