Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Offwego on September 10, 2019, 18:00

Title: Broad beans
Post by: Offwego on September 10, 2019, 18:00

There are broad beans on sale at my local garden centre but on looking at the label they do not state winter variety.
The plants are about 300 mm high , if I plant these in my poly tunnel when could I expect them to crop?

Title: Re: Broad beans
Post by: New shoot on September 11, 2019, 12:37

It seems an odd size to find for sale now  :wacko:  Winter ones aren't usually sown yet and overwinter as much smaller plants. but I am no expert on polytunnel growing.

I found this when I looked it up. which may help. I reckon you would be better with seeds and starting them yourself following this guide  :)

https://www.firsttunnels.co.uk/page/top-of-the-crops-broadbeans

Title: Re: Broad beans
Post by: CHRISDONOHUE on September 12, 2019, 14:37

My guess is that they are unlikely to be a winter-hardy variety, but kept in a polytunnel and planted out next spring should be OK.   Friendly allotment neighbours who grow overwintering broad beans are quite likely to be able to give you some spare seed if you wait until the end of October as an alternative.   Even seed with holes in it from the broad bean weevil germinate quite well.