"Cat(h)" wrote in message
oups.com...

K wrote:
"Cat(h)" writes

Broad beans

It is my first ever time planting those, and even my Dad never did, so
I have absolutely no idea of what to expect.
The plants are extremely healthy and vigorous looking, about 40 to 50
cm tall, full of white flowers with a black dot.

Yes, that's a normal broad bean flower.

The black dot was not worrying me - I thought the flowers looked quite
pretty with their black polka dot.

I have noticed that
the flowers which come to the end of their lives are turning what to me
looks like a worrying looking sutty black. Yet again, I checked my
trusty Hessayon and its botanic hypochondria-inducing list of ailments
for peas and beans - nothing about blackening flowers.
Is that normal, and am I worrying over nothing?

It's normal. They go black as they die,

Cool! thanks, I'm positively impatient to harvest my first home grown
broadbeans. they have to be one of the very best veggies to eat!
Cat(h)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just as tasty are the juvenile pods cooked whole and dipped in a
hollandaise type sauce. Hot or cold. Picking young like this never seems to
reduce the crop. Small finger size seems best.
Best Wishes Brian.