GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - broad un-beans

11-07-2005, 03:56 PM

The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:
In article ,
(Jaques d'Alltrades) wrote:

ATM I'm harvesting carrier bags of escaped fodder beans, a slightly
smaller relative, and they have done extremely well in the verge
alongside last year's field.

Yes, I've grown "Field Beans". They are very hardy, productive and
reasonable tasting. Having tried several BB varieties in recently, my
plan for next year is 50% "Red Epicure" for flavour and 50% Field Beans
for tough productivity.

I've got very little room in my garden - unless I devastate the hedges
and the woody things. (And I like the winter viburnum, the cotoneasters,
the 'ivy tree', the clematis, the Japanese quince, the barberry, etc,
etc. The only area I could put down to vegetables is shaded from
mid-afternoon on by a row of Lombardy poplars, and in any case, that's
where the garage and workshop will be eventually.

Another thing about Field Beans, they are narrower plants than more
refined varieties so you can pack them in more. Say about 6" apart. And
the pods are usually still pointing upwards when they're ready. They are
ready when rock hard and slightly shiny.

Because I have so little room I plant them 6" apart, as you say. (IRTA
6' originally and boggled!) The scent of the flowers is divine, if a bit
overpowering, and makes the spring very smelly indeed, what with a local
lime tree and brace of big lilacs in the hedge which flower in series...

--
Rusty
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