Brownfingers writes
My packets of broad beans say plant October or January. Why can't I
plant now? The weathers so odd anyway and broad beans can't read a
calendar.

I think the idea is that in October the soil is still warm enough that
they will sprout and grow a little way, enough to stand over winter
without rotting, even though they won't do much in the way of growing
between November and February.

If you plant from February onwards, the soil is warm enough for them to
sprout and grow, though in theory they'll be a bit behind their cousins
who were planted in October and put on some growth in the autumn.

If you sow in December, the soil will not be warm enough to initiate
germination, and the bean will rot between now and February.

--
Kay