Managing the Broad Bean harvest
 

I have picked most of the broad beans in one parch early - no black
scars on any of them. I'm an impatient sort of chap. Many of the plants
are now just standing there with leaves slightly yellowing. After a
couple of weeks there's no sign of more flowers and beans. Are they
really finished?

Actually, I cut down some plants and the stumps have sprouted new growth
and flowers even. They're only about 4" tall. Will they grow and give me
a good second crop?

Or should I accept that this patch of Broad Beans is over cut them down
and bang in some lettuce?

Thanks!

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

Managing the Broad Bean harvest
 

In article , (Steve Harris) writes:
| I have picked most of the broad beans in one parch early - no black
| scars on any of them. I'm an impatient sort of chap. Many of the plants
| are now just standing there with leaves slightly yellowing. After a
| couple of weeks there's no sign of more flowers and beans. Are they
| really finished?
|
| Actually, I cut down some plants and the stumps have sprouted new growth
| and flowers even. They're only about 4" tall. Will they grow and give me
| a good second crop?
|
| Or should I accept that this patch of Broad Beans is over cut them down
| and bang in some lettuce?

The latter. While the very old varieties of broad beans might give
a repeat crop, modern ones are bred for single cropping. Some
people say they have had some success, but I never have.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Managing the Broad Bean harvest
 

I have only once had a decent second crop so I think it's best to take them
out. If you cut them off with shears it leaves the roots in the ground to
release the nitrogen nodules into the soil. I have put purple sprouting and
January King cabbages where my first lot were. Leeks could also go there as
they would enjoy the nitrogen


Robert
The Devil's Advocate

www.pafc.co.uk


"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
: I have picked most of the broad beans in one parch early - no black
: scars on any of them. I'm an impatient sort of chap. Many of the plants
: are now just standing there with leaves slightly yellowing. After a
: couple of weeks there's no sign of more flowers and beans. Are they
: really finished?
:
: Actually, I cut down some plants and the stumps have sprouted new growth
: and flowers even. They're only about 4" tall. Will they grow and give me
: a good second crop?
:
: Or should I accept that this patch of Broad Beans is over cut them down
: and bang in some lettuce?
:
: Thanks!
:
: Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

Managing the Broad Bean harvest
 

I have only once had a decent second crop so I think it's best to take them
out. If you cut them off with shears it leaves the roots in the ground to
release the nitrogen nodules into the soil. I have put purple sprouting and
January King cabbages where my first lot were. Leeks could also go there as
they would enjoy the nitrogen

Interesting. How long should I leave my broad bean nitrogen fixers to do
their thing? If I transplanted my leeks between the rows of broad bean
stumps do you think the stumps would cause much disruption when I
finally came to pull them up?

Managing the Broad Bean harvest
 

In article , Steve
Harris writes
I have picked most of the broad beans in one parch early - no black
scars on any of them. I'm an impatient sort of chap. Many of the plants
are now just standing there with leaves slightly yellowing. After a
couple of weeks there's no sign of more flowers and beans. Are they
really finished?

Yes. Sometimes you get further flowers, and I've tried leaving the
plants, but the second crop never amounts to anything, and I've never
found it to be worth it. A whole are of garden tied up for perhaps one
pod.

Actually, I cut down some plants and the stumps have sprouted new growth
and flowers even. They're only about 4" tall. Will they grow and give me
a good second crop?

Or should I accept that this patch of Broad Beans is over cut them down
and bang in some lettuce?

Yes.
--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

Managing the Broad Bean harvest
 

I cut them down low and then walk on them and they usually break off fairly
well down. The roots and bits left don't get in the way then

Robert The Devil's Advocate www.pafc.co.uk
"Andrew" wrote in message
...
: I have only once had a decent second crop so I think it's best to take
them
: out. If you cut them off with shears it leaves the roots in the ground
to
: release the nitrogen nodules into the soil. I have put purple sprouting
and
: January King cabbages where my first lot were. Leeks could also go there
as
: they would enjoy the nitrogen
:
: Interesting. How long should I leave my broad bean nitrogen fixers to do
: their thing? If I transplanted my leeks between the rows of broad bean
: stumps do you think the stumps would cause much disruption when I
: finally came to pull them up?

Managing the Broad Bean harvest
 

In article ,
"The Devil's Advocate" wrote:

I cut them down low and then walk on them and they usually break off fairly
well down. The roots and bits left don't get in the way then

Thanks. I'll give that a go, once the current bumper harvest is over.
Stir-fried broad beans last night. Lovely!