[radiohead]

I have an ancient book on growing veg, and the author describes getting a second crop from broad beans. He reckoned that as long as the first crop was finished about now,if the plants are cut down to just above ground level,they will throw up shoots which will flower and crop before the winter sets in.....Picked the final beans from my row last night and cut the plants as described,just wondered if anyone else has tried this and if so did it work?
       As I dont have a huge plot,if it's not likely to pay off I'd rather have them out and get some more leeks in their place.....

[Paul Plots]

By mistake I've cleared a patch and left one in the ground only for it to re-grow, flower and form pods....so in theory it makes sense.

I'm not sure I'd risk a big space though if I had something else to go in and needed the room.

[radiohead]

Thanks learner....that gives me hope,as BB's are my favourite veg any chance of more before the season ends is worth a punt

[Lardman]

You could always try a late season variety such as stereo or witkiem manita I think we're just on the tail end this year but if you're quick you may just be lucky.

[grendel]

I noticed my broad beans were throwing up another set of flowers down at the base today

[sunshineband]

Yes I can also confirm this is totally true --- broad beans are perennials, and flower again in the autumn.

Not sure what sort of crop they give.

May be we'll all find out 

[lazza]

Well, I've never tried to get a second crop, but I was very surprised that we got beans off both our plants (yes! we only had two, which were both planted by our girls at school!). When they were still in pots, the snails got to one of them, and ate the top leaves, and seemingly also the growing tip of one of the plants. But a second shoot came out from near the base, and in the end it grew as well as the other, and produced just as many beans. So it makes sense...

[radiohead]

Thanks for the replies all,....sounds promising so I think I'll take out half of the row to make space,and try for a second crop off the other half....(hedging my bets a bit )......I'll report back the outcome later in the year!

[Mazzie]

One of Alys Fowlers videos has some info on it although if i remember rightly she just cuts the tops off not all the way to the base.

[Paul Plots]

Thanks for the replies all,....sounds promising so I think I'll take out half of the row to make space,and try for a second crop off the other half....(hedging my bets a bit )......I'll report back the outcome later in the year!

Sounds a good plan  Best of luck. 

[Growster...]

I checked in my old book by Violet Stevenson, who said it would work, but it becomes a yield problem.

You either get a few beans, or use the space for something which may yield more.

If you're in limited space, and have something which will grow better, then it's a matter of choice between a few beans available up to winter, or - say - a row of kale lasting into the New Year for instance.

Good luck though; I'd do what you're doing if I didn't have something to chuck in their place while I have the plants!

[radiohead]

Update...
Visited the plot tonight and there is new growth sprouting from the base of the cut plants!.......so far,so good!

[sunshineband]

Phew! Glad they are growing OK 

[Paul Plots]

Update...
Visited the plot tonight and there is new growth sprouting from the base of the cut plants!.......so far,so good!

Excellent!

May all your beans be delicious ones 

[themoog]

This is good news, as I'm also having a go at this and trimmed mine this morning.

Now it's 'wait and see' time  :happy:!