broad beans

[Mike Vogel]

OH wrote:
Just make sure they are a variety for Autumn sowing like Aquadulce.

I've been growing a Witkiem variety and sowing them between mid- and end-October. This is supposed to be a spring-sown crop, but my autumn sowings have been very successful. I wonder whether most varieties can't be sown at either time of year. Alternatively, perhaps we've just not had a proper hard winter recently.

About 2 years ago I sowed another lot in spring. By the time they were ready to pick they were covered in blackfly and also needed frequent watering. They produced a disappointing crop.

As for field beans,Colin, I think these are mainly sown as a green manure, so never mind what happens to them on top, their roots will still be fixing nitrogen as far as I understand.

mike

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Mike, the reason i recommended a variety like Aquadulce is because it will tolerate very cold conditions.
I've no doubt that other varieties like Witkiem,
would come through in a mild winter, it's just that i wouldn't recommend them as a first choice for fear of them getting frosted in a hard winter.
And i would hate people to lose out through advice i have given.

[Compo]

In the form the meeces that I hate to peeces have eaten the autumn beans, they seem to get stuck in when the beans are in the cotlydon stage, so I have sewed some more in the greenhouse in peat pots, heres hoping they will be ok.

[Allan]

Compo, have a look at my entry under broad beans, which way up, which gives my soution to your problemof the mice after the bean cotyledons. I don't want to repeat it here.

[Mike Vogel]

Well, OH, we are getting longer spells of colder weather now that we've had the past few years, so we'll see how Witkiem does. It's my own funeral if they don't do well, as I'm well aware they are recommended for spring sowing. Happy Christmas one and all.

mike

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Mike there are times when i don't mind being proved wrong, and this is one of them.
I hope your beans turn out to be a success.