Should I sow broad beans in autumn or spring?

Autumn-sown beans (November, hardy cultivars only) crop two to three weeks earlier than spring-sown, get going before blackfly arrives, and are out of the ground in time for a summer succession crop. Spring sowings are faster to set up and avoid the slug and waterlogging risks of overwintering plants. Most UK allotments do both.

What's the difference between Aquadulce and other broad bean varieties?

Aquadulce Claudia is the hardiest UK variety, bred specifically for autumn sowing — it shrugs off our winters as small plants. Bunyards Exhibition and Masterpiece Green Longpod are for spring sowing — bigger pods, sweeter beans, but less winter-hardy. The Sutton is a dwarf variety (45 cm) for windy sites and small gardens.

How do I get rid of blackfly on broad beans?

Pinch out the top 7 cm of each shoot once the first pods set. The tender tip is what blackfly want, and removing it is enough on its own most years. For a bad infestation, a spray of soapy water (a teaspoon of washing-up liquid in a litre of water) on a calm dry day knocks them back. Ladybirds and hoverflies eat them in volume.

When can I pick broad beans?

Late May to mid-July for autumn-sown crops; late June to August for spring-sown. Pick when pods are firm and full, but the beans inside are still bright green and no larger than your thumbnail. Older beans turn floury. The first pods at the base of the plant ripen first; work upwards over a couple of weeks of picking.

Can I eat the whole pod?

Very young broad bean pods, picked at 8–10 cm long before the beans inside are visible, can be cooked whole like french beans. After that the pod gets stringy and you want the beans alone. Pick the youngest pods straight from the plant and steam for 4–5 minutes.

What can I do with the spent plants?

Cut the plants at the base, leaving the roots in the ground. Broad bean roots fix nitrogen — they release it slowly as they decompose, feeding whatever follows. Top growth goes on the compost heap or as a green mulch around brassicas.

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Sow broad bean seed in November for an early crop the following May, or in February to March for a summer crop. Autumn-sown beans need a hardy cultivar like Aquadulce Claudia; spring-sown can be anything. Broad beans are very hardy (RHS H4–H5) and shrug off a UK winter as small plants. They want a sunny spot with fertile soil; plant in double rows 20 cm between plants. Pinch the growing tip once the first beans set — that's the part blackfly want, and removing it deters the worst of an infestation. Harvest from late May (autumn-sown) or late June (spring-sown), picking when the pods feel full but the beans inside are still bright green.

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