[Eblana]

Hi all,

I was up the plot last night and noticed while I was weeding around the Broadbeans that beans are beginning to form on them.  I have never grown Broadbeans before and I was wondering if I need to do anything to protect them from birds etc. also I vaguely remember someone telling me that I needed to pinch out the tips at some stage - when should I do this?

Many thanks

[brianbishop]

Never had problems with bird damage on broads, but beware of slugs, as for pinching out  normaly done to keep blackfly at bay. Some say to eat the pinched out tops but I have tried this and found them slightly on the bitter side, but as" they" say ---- one mans meat is anothers poison!!!!
Bish

[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

Mine look set to form, I sowed "The Sutton" and they are very small compact plants that havent been affected by black fly yet - Fingers Crossed.

[Aidy]

Pretty much as has been said.
The pods are very tough so you shouldn't have any issues with bugs etc. Like wizzyfax I grow the sutton and mine are developing nicely now, had a little look for black fly but still no signs, soon as there is then nip the growing tip off, the fly prefer the soft tips to the tough stalks.
Broad beans are pretty tough old plants that dont need to much attention through the growing season.

[Eblana]

Thanks folks, no sign of any blackfly on them but will keep an eye out and if I see them will nip out the growing tips then.

[barley]

do you know you can cook and eat the broad bean tips 

they cook like spinach and taste yummy

I love BB .... I have over 100 plants coming on , enough to eat and freeze

mmmmmmmmmm