I appear to have a great crop of broad beans(windsor variety) this year. They are about 4ft tall with lots of flowers, though some have died off. Will they still pod? All of the books tell me to pinch out the tips to prevent black fly attack - I have cut off the top green growth over the flowers. Is this a correct interpretation of this advice? I have got nervous as I did have black fly last year. Patsi, Dublin, Co Dublin Posted: 06/06/2011

When a good proportion of the pods set seeds, the remainder of the flowers often abort to limit th load on the plant.

It is not necessary to take off the tops until the black aphids arrive and it is done to prevent spread down the plant. That you have cut them does not make much difference.

when to harvest broadbeans

I planted broadbeans in NOV10 and I was wondering when is the best time to harvest them? Ellie4Ever, Garvagh, Co Leitrim Posted: 01/05/2011

The pods of broad beans can be eaten like mange tout peas whern they are between 5 and 8 cm long, but are normally left on to grow until the beans in the pod reach useable size. They are at their best at that stage and do not wait too long for the beans to grow large as they get starchy if too developed.

broad beans

I have grown broad beans for the first time they are now 5ft tall and have flowers but it looks like the little pod is all black at the end where the flower were, have they died and what can i do? bonstey, Oxted, Outside Ireland Posted: 07/06/2010

Sometimes some of the pods do not set and turn black but others do set later on and produce a crop.

disease on broadbeans

i am a beginner and started broad bean seeds off in the greenhouse, they are now 4" tall and looking well but they have got black shiny spots on the stems, the greenhouse has been heated, dont know what to do. bonstey, Oxted, Outside Ireland Posted: 03/03/2010

Some varieties of broad beans have spot markings on the stems and this is normal. It is too early for balck bean aphid, a form of greenfly, as these do not usually appear until the flowers have formed.

Plant them out in the usual way when they have been hardened off for a week by being placed outdors by day.

Broad Beans

My broad beans flowered but now seems to be dying off, what is the cause what can i do for future prevention? Bryan, Kilmaley , Co Clare Posted: 11/07/2009

Broad beans flower and then the bean pods form. If there was a failure to make pods, this is due to poor weather at flowering, disease such as chocolate spot or heavy greenfly attack.

problems with broad beans

my broad bean pods and stems are covered with black spots. some of the beans are also infected what has happened them should i remove all of them mow and what should i do with the stalks any solutions please many thanks rose49, , Co Dublin Posted: 05/07/2009

This is probably chocolate spot fungus, and there is no control but to remove and bury the affectd plants.

When growing broad beans, do not over-use compost as it makes the plants very soft, and try to encourage air movement as the fungus likes damp conditions.