[Mum2mj]

Hi all, this is my 4th year growing things & as I only have a bit of garden for growing I need to cram in as much as I can, so...  as I was sowing my broadbeans yesterday, it says to sow 12" by 24" apart which only gives me 9 plants in my bed (3 rows of 3), so I decided to sow some mangetout & sugarsnap peas in the middle.  Now I've never heard of anyone doing this & there's probably a very good reason, so does anyone know if this is going to be a big mistake or not?  Thanks again 

[gavinjconway]

That is a rather large spacing for BB.. normal spacing is about 9" x 9" ... your 12 x 24 seems hugely wrong..

[DD.]

On way is to sow narrow spaced double rows with a wider spacing

http://www.allotment-garden.org/grow-your-own/vegetables/broad-beans

but certainly not as posted.

[sunshineband]

Hope it helps you to know this: I have got broad beans in two rows alongside the double row of peas, in one raised bed.

All seem happy 

[Mum2mj]

That is a rather large spacing for BB.. normal spacing is about 9" x 9" ... your 12 x 24 seems hugely wrong..

ARGGHHHHH    I went and double checked the packet after I read your post and it definitely says 12 x 24" or 30 x 60 cm, flipping wilkinsons seeds.  I thought last year they looked a bit silly with so much space and I love broad beans - grrr I've never known a seed packet be so out in the measurements before!

[Mum2mj]

Hope it helps you to know this: I have got broad beans in two rows alongside the double row of peas, in one raised bed.

All seem happy 

Thanks sunshineband that does make me feel a bit better! 

[Bing]

On way is to sow narrow spaced double rows with a wider spacing

http://www.allotment-garden.org/grow-your-own/vegetables/broad-beans

but certainly not as posted.

I did this last November, and now they are 5 feet tall and Ther is no way for me to get between the rows...luckily I have only three double rows and managed to nip off their tops...from each side. And they seem do help each other with the wind, there is no damage by wind but small damage by an exploring fox.

Recommend it

[mattwragg94]

well i had a few pea plants spare so i just planted them next to the BB's - they where only the 'bigga' peas - so i had nothing to lose!

[shoozie]

both grew happily side by side last year ... So, same again this year.  Just don't stick any onions near them (BB)  no matter how short of space you are

[Mum2mj]

Thank you everyone for your replies & advice I'm feeling much happier now! 

[vegypete]

both grew happily side by side last year ... So, same again this year.  Just don't stick any onions near them (BB)  no matter how short of space you are

hi ya why not plant broad beans near onions?

[Yorkie]

I believe onions give off a certain chemical in their roots which beans don't like.  I knew about it with regard to runners / climbers.  Not heard of it in relation to BB before, but I guess it could be true for them too.

[shoozie]

both grew happily side by side last year ... So, same again this year.  Just don't stick any onions near them (BB)  no matter how short of space you are

hi ya why not plant broad beans near onions?

I believe onions give off a certain chemical in their roots which beans don't like.  I knew about it with regard to runners / climbers.  Not heard of it in relation to BB before, but I guess it could be true for them too.

Sorry, I don't know the science (if thats what it is /was) but can only say what happened - a block of onions (sets) sown in front of a block of Sutton: the onions stood still after showing two weak leaves, eventually coming to nothing at all. The beans grew, but a very small crop.  Same batch of onion sets and same patch of sutton seeds in another patch, separate from each other - grew well.  The two beds are at most 10 feet apart, same soil, same sunlight conditions. 

[vegypete]

hi ya 4rows of broad beans paralel with me onions 2ft away, onions doing very well  broad beans about 6 dotted here and there, must be somthing in it ..........pete