[Ropster]

I had my first broad beans last night with a bit of Shepards Pie
so much better than shop bought it makes all of the digging worth while

Yum Yum

[Gardeningguru]

I had my first broad beans last night with a bit of Shepards Pie
so much better than shop bought it makes all of the digging worth while

Yum Yum

You always remember the first time you taste homegrown as a pose to some of the (and I dont use this term lightly) rubbish you get in supermarkets.

Unfortunately the supermakets assume that the UK shopper demands presentation, availability, and cost, over taste and quality.

Im so glad the tide is slowly turning, and GYO is on the increase nationally, as people are seeing the benefits, and difference in taste.

[iwantanallotment]

I bet they were lovely  :tongue:
Just waiting for mine to get a bit bigger.
And hoping that every flower becomes a bean, 'cos lots of flowers yet and have promised half my crop to a broad bean lover.
Good job I didn't promise half the crop of my 8 pea plants to anyone  :oops:

[crowndale]

HMM.  I am just waiting for mine to pod up, the flowers are dying back now so shouldn't be too long hopefully.  never grown them before so it'll be a new experience for me.

[woodburner]

How tall are BB's supposed to be when they flower? Mine are only about 4"  :?

[Ropster]

mine started at about 10 inches but they are a couple of feet now (planted last november)

[iwantanallotment]

Mine too, and they went in last year as well.

[SkipRat]

Mine have podded up, so not long now, dont forget to take the tops off, to deter blackfly...

[iwantanallotment]

dont forget to take the tops off, to deter blackfly...

And steam them.......lovely with butter on, esp with fish  :tongue:

[JimG]

I'm growing broad beans for the first time.  Some of the plants have good size pods on them - about 6" long.  I'm not sure when they're ready to pick.  Any thoughts?

Cheers,


Jim

[Sir Growalot]

Best eaten young, pod and all, steamed or raw. Open one up and see what size the beans are inside....enjoy

[crowndale]

Found my first pod today so had to pull it off and check it inside!  small petit pois sized beans inside.  was very pleased, first crop this year so far.

[Aunt Sally]

I'm growing broad beans for the first time.  Some of the plants have good size pods on them - about 6" long.  I'm not sure when they're ready to pick.  Any thoughts?

Cheers,


Jim

If you want them as beans rather than whole pods (which I'm not too keen on) pick them when the beans are seen bulging the pod.

When you shell them the bean scar (the bit where it attaches to the pod) should be white.  If it is brown or black you have left them a little bit too long and they will not be quite as tender.  They will still be usable and tasty though they may need to be slipped out of their skins after cooking (bit of a faff).

[JimG]

That's great.  Thanks Aunt Sally!

[dirtynails]

...and i've just had the tops off my broad bean plants pan fried with olive oil black pepper, sage leaves and garlic with some spaghetti and i havent got to the pods yet !!