[bomere]

I've covered my broad beans with agricultural fleece to deter the blackfly etc. They seem to be doing fine, but the thought occurs...do the flowers need pollinating, and if so should I remove the fleece?

[sunshineband]

yes the flowers do need pollinating or no beans, so IMHO the fleece migth save you from blackfly but ........ you can always wash the blackfly off with hard squirts of water if you need to  or the birds might clean it up for you

[Bombers]

Just to add to that, I would pinch out the top growth, which is what attracts the Blackfly 

[Sadgit]

I grew broad beans for the 1st time last year and didn't fleece them or pinch them out and had zero black fly.. Was I just lucky??

[noshed]

Yes, you jammy sadgit

[Sadgit]

Yes, you jammy sadgit

woohoo for once I had some luck at this lark

[bomere]

Thanks for advice.
 Fleece now removed, standing by with hosepipe for the blackfly invasion!