[AlaninCarlisle]

Loads of top growth, looked really vigorous and healthy but woeful crop of beans. Maybe three meals from around fifty plants. First time I've had this problem as broad beans are usually so prolific
I'm  wondering if you can overfeed them in much the same way as apple trees. Too much horse-muck equals growth at the expense of fruit?

[ARPoet]

Me too. Over winter broadies grew too fast then toppled over and spring sown failed to show. One boiling, thats all.

[shedmeister]

The best year by far for me. super aquadulcies went in the ground in october as good size plants to avoid the mice. I did have the foresight to use canes and tied themn on twice as they grew to avoid wind. Had loads of fresh and give aways plus loads in the freezer

[Growster...]

Interesting post, Alan.

We just grow a few plants, about forty, and one side of the paired line went everywhere, and the other just sat there looking feeble!

They've just picked up, but I have to assume that it was the hot spell which gave them a headache...

Never seen this before, but then I'm only a humble Growster...

[greenjay]

I hadn't grown broad beans for a few years as youngest son not keen.
planted a small row this year, but a poor crop, pods seem to form but not many beans In them.

[oldgrunge]

Same here, poor crop this year. Usually grow Bunyard's Exhibition, but this year grew Masterpiece Longpod, but think the hot dry weather earlier I'd more to blame than the variety. Also had massive attacks of black fly.

[mjg000]

Well my BB's have been fantastic, huge crop.  Blackfly which appeared for a short while early on just disappeared and plants have stood tall and proud. Mainly Wizard bean which is a first for me and i will repeat.  I'm just taking enough to use and clearing slowly leaving any small plants standing for a second chance.

[AnneB]

I have given up with traditional broad beans and now grow Wizard field beans.  The same in all respects taste wise or even better to be honest, just that each bean is a little smaller.   I sow them last week of October / first week of November.  Vast majority overwinter successfully.  They produce absolutely loads of beans, so yield is much greater than the same number of broad beans.  I sow them in a block.  They don't have the same problems with chocolate spot or blackfly either.
I have just spent the entire afternoon podding today's harvest and haven't finished yet, plus I have 120 pods set aside for friends.
I would recommend them completely.

[AnneB]

Well my BB's have been fantastic, huge crop.  Blackfly which appeared for a short while early on just disappeared and plants have stood tall and proud. Mainly Wizard bean which is a first for me and i will repeat.  I'm just taking enough to use and clearing slowly leaving any small plants standing for a second chance.

Glad my contribution to the Seed Circle worked out well. You always wonder if things will turnout well for others.

[victoria park]

No idea. In 20 years, I've never had an overwintering broad bean problem, apart from one very wet winter that caused some rust, but they still limped over the line and produced an excellent crop. Can't think how broad beans could fail apart from very obvious early chocolate spot or a black fly infestation.
Aquadulce first week in November, sow under a net, light touch paper and stand well back for 6 months. LOL. Nothing else needs to be done apart from some H2O.
 
Bad luck Alan, maybe some sort of faulty seed/drought thing or unknown unseen pest thing. Broad beans are a given in almost any conditions.

[greenjay]

are wizard beans a type of field bean?
 I have not heard of them before but sounds like something to try.

[AnneB]

are wizard beans a type of field bean?
 I have not heard of them before but sounds like something to try.

Wizard beans are indeed a type of field bean.  I got my original seed supply from Tuckers Seeds in Devon, but they have stopped doing on line sales (boo) but Real Seeds sell them, and I am sure other suppliers do as well.  They are a variety bred specifically for humans to eat rather than traditionally as a fodder crop or green manure,  I am led to believe.  Definitely give them a go, they are so much easier than ordinary broad beans - I tried several different varieties over a number of years (Aquadulce Claudia, Aquadulce Longpod, Crimson Flowered amongst others) but none has come anywhere near Wizard for productivity, disease resistance and hardiness.  Everybody who I have given seed to is a convert.