[Yana]

For the last two years I've sown broad beans direct into the soil at the lottie only to have them decimated by the weather and/or slugs. This meant sowing again when the soil was warmer enough and so the plants were attacked by blackfly ..... This year it was really bad.
If I sow them into compost in modules and keep them in a cold greenhouse until planting at the lottie next year won't they grow too much and become leggy?

[dugless]

You have got me there, I sow mine direct in the soil every year never experienced any of those problems.
even when we had -11 deg,  Cannot guarantee it but a cold frame might work. or you could cover them with a plastic tunnel. good luck

[Salmo]

They will get soft and leggy if you have them in a greenhouse.  Once they emerge put them outside. Treat them hard. They should only just have the first leaves and remain like that until early Spring

A good alternative is to sow in modules in the greenhouse in late Jan/early Feb and plant them out as soon as they have their first leaves showing. They will be nearly as early as ones sown now. Beware of mice, they love broad bean seeds. I sowed some in root trainers last year. The root systems were superb and they planted out well.

[gavinjconway]

Yana I know some people grow them well over the winter but I've had no luck. So I plant asap in spring when the ground un-freezes and is workable after starting them off in the gh.. 

[surbie100]

this year I sowed mine in pots in January, and planted out in early Feb after they had been hardened off. I had a brilliant crop and missed most of the blackfly - would definitely recommend it!

[chrisnchris]

We have had success with Aquadulce although this year was bad probably because of the weather. They remained the same size from Nov/Dec through till March & the crop was very poor.
Could you cover the small plants with large clear plastic drinks bottles, maybe you have too many plants or don't drink that much pop ! 

[Yana]

Decision made - sow in modules January, harden off when two leaves and see how it goes.
Thanks 

[sowitgrowit]

I would like to give mine a go overwinter after struggling last year - I have five small cloche/tunnels (As in the picture below, if I can get it to work), and am wondering if sowing them under these would be too much protection for them and encourage "soft" growth?

Keeping the wind and later, the ice and snow, might help survival rates though I imagine.

[Totty]

I see little benefit from trying to overwinter them.
You are limited to a couple of reliable varieties, that are hardly the best for eating or cropping. Sowing in very early spring in small pots will give higher yields, better choice of variety and no faffing in winter.

Totty

[Madame Cholet]

I tried wizzard last year they stood all winter, It blows a gale across the top of the hill, they crop very heavy and taste brilliant.

[Totty]

The wizard beans do look interesting. They are also sold as green manure, and are a field bean but are said to have smaller beans but more prolific?

Totty

[Madame Cholet]

yes they have 3 beans per pod, which hang in clusters like bananas very sweet taste nice raw too.

I've got a few saved ones If you send me a sae you can try them out. It may be a bit late.

[Headgardener22]

I've sown some broad beans in 7cm pots, which are outside (not in the greenhouse). When they have germinated and have a couple of leaves, I plant them out. If they survive the winter, then they're a good early crop, if they don't then I re-sow in spring.

The seeds aren't expensive so if they fail its hardly a loss.

[RJR_38]

Is it too late to sow them now?

[dugless]

I've sown some broad beans in 7cm pots, which are outside (not in the greenhouse). When they have germinated and have a couple of leaves, I plant them out. If they survive the winter, then they're a good early crop, if they don't then I re-sow in spring.

The seeds aren't expensive so if they fail its hardly a loss.

I agree , Mine are seeds that went over saved from last years crop so no cost at all.

I plant two lots one in Autumn and one in Spring works for me.