[Grubbypaws]

I did an autumn sowing of my broad beans (Sutton) so am ready for my first harvest of the beans towards the bottom of the plants. . My question is how long should I leave them growing before I pinch out the growing tips? I have noticed a few ants exploring but as yet no aphids. Should I wait until I see aphids or pinch them out now?

[Fisherman]

I also did an Autumn sowing of Sutton broad beans. I pinched the growing tips out a couple of weeks ago firstly to get the pods to swell quicker and secondly to prevent aphids.

My spring sown Sutton broad beans are not that far behind the Autumn sown ones so I question whether its worth starting them in Autumn. The Autumn ones have also gone a bit leggy whereas the spring ones are more compact and look like being more productive (time will tell).

[lettice]

I've always pinched my tops off when they are nicely flowering and set their first few beans.
Does not seem to stop any growth, as always get a bumper crop.
Never really had any problems with blackfly on mine over decades of growing in same or other parts of the garden plots.
Did mine just over a week back and this weekend will picking my first crop.

Planted my Super Aquadulce  and Bunyards Exhibition out mid March