The Best Guide to Growing Broad Beans
One of the First Crops of the Year is Relatively Easy to Grow
Broad beans are relatively easy to grow. Broad beans are grouped in relation to the times they take to mature. There are dwarf broad beans which grow just over 30cm and tall broad beans which grow to over 1.25m in height. They are often one of the first vegetables to produce a crop in summer.
Bean Selection
Longpod varieties - these contain around 8 oblong beans and are a very hardy crop. The longpods can be sown in late autumn to produce an early crop. Windsor varieties, these have much shorter pods with fewer beans in, however these produce sweeter beans and greater yields.
Broad beans are best grown in raised beds with a heavy soil which has been well dug in with manure the previous season. Broad beans prefer soil with a high nitrogen level, and not acid soils.
Sowing Your Beans
Broad beans are easy to sow as they are a large seed which whilst benefiting from a few days in a propogator, can be planted in situ where they will grow. Ideally sow them in double rows alternately spaced, by this I mean seed in one row against a space in the opposite row. Sow to a depth of 6 to 7cm deep and allow 9 to 10 cm between each bean.
Germination of broad beans takes place at moderately cool temperatures and takes 2-3 weeks when sown outdoors, however I have used a propagator to good effect with beans germinating in just 3 days. As they get taller the broad beans will need canes to support them as they grow. With the smaller dwarf varieties ensure the seed pods are kept off the ground as they grow to avoid wet rot.
Maintenance
Keep the raised bed as weed free as possible. Water approximately every other day dependant on temperature. When the broad beans start flowering, pinch out the tips to encourage the pods to form. Broad beans sown in spring can be harvested at around 12 to 6 weeks and beans sown in autumn can be harvested at around 28 to 35 weeks. Your broad beans can then be frozen or dried.
Recipe Ideas
There are many delicious recipe ideas available on the internet for the humble broad bean. The traditional way of steaming them until tender and serving with a white or cheese sauce has been superceded with more 'trendy' recipe ideas. They are often served cold in a salad with feta cheese which has a lovely fresh and healthy taste. Try the following recipe for a refreshing and natural taste:
Ingredients
- 450g/1lb fresh broad beans, shelled weight
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 125g/4oz Feta cheese, cubed
- Salt and pepper
Method
- Boil the beans for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender.
- Add the mint, white wine vinegar and oil to the hot beans and stir well.
- Allow the beans to cool to room temperature, then add the cubed Feta and serve.
Broad Beans
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