[matt80]

I've got three "Sutton" dwarf broad bean plants on the go in my garden. One looks like it is just starting to produce pods. I've got a couple of questions:

1. How big should dwarf varieties be? I'd estimate they are no bigger than 30cm / 1 foot.

2. Should I pinch out the growing tips? I read somewhere I should do this when the first pods set, but I didn't want to do it if they hadn't reached full height?

Thanks

[cozzcov]

Pods already?  Mine haven't even flowered yet.  Are they not the flower buds?  Mine are about 6inches tall at moment and showing buds not pods.
The normal ones its recommend to pinch out the tops to help prevent black fly. I pinched out the tops of my dwarfs, last year, for the same reason.  
You can also eat the tops cooked like spinach and dressed in melted butter.  The pods, if picked young, can be eaten whole too.

[agapanthus]

I agree.....the tops are very tasty....my fave!!!!

[gobs]

I've never grown dwarf ones, Matt, but it 's quite normal for them to be harvestable around now, if over-wintered or very early sown.


A lot of folks harvest them, when the seeds can be seen through the pods as large as avarage thumb nail, way too late if you ask me.

[yummy]

I also have some overwintered Sutton's on the go and they are also about a foot tall now. Mine have flowers on but no pods yet. I've already pinched the tops this week because they were getting black fly. I hope that wasn't too early.

First year I have grown them so I've been guessing.

[iwantanallotment]

My Sutton Dwarfs are taller than a foot Matt, maybe 2ft I'd guess. Lots of flowers on them for ages now (they went in at the end of Sept) but no beans/pods yet. Getting a bit impatient for them, actually  

[love-my-plot]

Mine have been flowering for about a week now. Should I be pinching out the tops? First time growing them  

[cozzcov]

I normally pinch mine out once the first pods are an inch or so long.  Can always pinch them out if black fly appear before that.

[love-my-plot]

Ok, thanks  

[iwantanallotment]

Got beans! Got beans! Got beans! Got beans!   :cheers:  :cheers:
Lots of little pods emerging where the flowers have dried and fallen off.
What a difference a day makes.

Did I mention I've got beans? Feels like my birthday  

[peapod]

lol good isnt it?
I was like that last year with my peas