[peapod]

Harry has been very impressed with our guru OBs BB plants today, and after enthusing about them he was given 22 of the revolting things.

Please tell me what to do with them.  I have to plant them somewhere to keep up his re-burgeoning interest in our plot but have no dedicated space.  Can I tie them into the fences at the end of the beds? Could I grow them up an arch? Please dont tell me I need a munty frame.

When do I pick them?

(Recipe forum in a few weeks....not for me though.  I will force feed him every one )

[Lardman]

Shame on you for not liking them 

Stuff them anywhere depending of the variety they may need a little support in the form of a stake / cane. Pinch out the tops when they get covered in blackfly. Other than that they're pretty bomb proof. Pick them young and snaffle them quickly.

Got to be beans / new spuds and gammon or bacon.

[hightide]

You can plant them in two rows 12 " apart, 8" between plants, that way they will support each other and not take up much room.

We love them, the secret is to pick them young about 3" long; lightly boiled or steamed tossed in butter and crispy bacon - mmmmm.

[Bing]

there are lots of ants eating the leaves, the edge of the plant became darker and I spread ants killer powder and it seems doesn't work...I think I am doomed to lose them (about 12 plants)!

[Scribbler]

Give them to me! SWMBO just a had a moan about me not planting any!

Am I too late? Otherwise doghouse for me...

[Salmo]

Bing - unless you have definately identified the attackers as ants I think it more likely the damage is being done by Pea & Bean weevils. They stand on the leaf edges and nibble knotches. The plants should grow away fron them soon.

[Swing Swang]

Scribbler - not too late - I'll put my last batch in at the end of the month

[rhysdad]

My aquadulce have pea and bean weevil damage and they are about 6/7 inches tall. Will they be okay with this pest bothering them? They look fairly healthy otherwise.

[peapod]

Thank you all.

Now I know I don't have to devote too much room (and Harry doesnt have to worry too much about fiddly care) I can plant them without too much hassle.

I may even try the recipes 

[arugula]

Broad bean and bacon risotto.

[peapod]

They are just so.......chalky......

[arugula]

Double podded fresh off the plant, they are lovely. I always thought I didn't like them, but I do now. A bit faffy to prepare, I find, but yummy.

[chrisnchris]

Got to be beans / new spuds and gammon or bacon.

I agree, delicious........don't forget the parsley sauce 

[Swing Swang]

Peapod - chalky - good way of describing them when mature, although I prefer to use the word 'mealy', just love the texture and the way they sort of absorb any sauce if you sort of burst/mush them open with the back of your fork. Roll on summer!

[Jonajo]

when young and with the outer skins/jackets taken off, so you only get the vibrant, wonderfully sweet green they are lovely. With the skin, they can be a bit unpleasant (even if they are young). It took me years to appreciate them and I was a real anti-broad-bean person until I went to that minor extra step of de-jacketing them.

Best way to eat for me (apart from raw): saute some chopped shallots or onions in butter, add chopped bacon and cook through: then add a ladle or two of fresh chicken stock (NOT cubes, ever!), reduce volume to half, add the beans and a small dash of cream - let bubble for a couple of mins, no more. PERFECT as an accompaniment to a roast, or on its own with good bread..