how do i know

[wildside]

hi all how do i know when my broad beans are ready what do i look out for and what sort of size should they be
thanks

[veggiechicken]

I pick the pods young and cook them whole, then eat pod and all as you would with runner beans.

[Feral007]

I love having the choice of when you pick and eat your vege's. Depending on what dish you are planning to serve - or if you have a lot of hungry people coming over, fill them up on Big Beans!

[Two_Sheds]

hi all how do i know when my broad beans are ready what do i look out for

Look for pods, filled with beans

[Florence Fennel]

As there's only me that likes them, I leave them to get to over 6" long and nicely fat (so you can see the bean bulge). I like to pod them and then squeeze them out of their little jackets. They'll probably never make it into the kitchen from the garden even though it's only a few steps to the back door from the plants!

[kathyd]

Hi Wildside. First time I've grown broadies too, fun isn't it . My flowers went black from the bottom of the plant first, and dropped off. After a few days a tiny tiny pod began to show. I left the first one for ooh, about 5 mins, then picked it to try! We had 2 tiny beans each - about the size of a pinhead - with our salad, lol . I left the next one for a few days until the bean was about the length of my little finger and then picked it (notice how I'm getting them one at a time - must plant more next year so I get a realistic harvest!) - we managed 3 small beans each that time! I'm going to try to be a bit more patient now though, until the pods are a bit bigger and I can see / feel at least 4 or 5 small beans inside. I don't want to leave them too long though, or they'll get tougher - and I'm not mad about full sized broadies to be honest. But the diddy ones were fab . I've not tried eating the pods too, but that's something I'll definitely try later! I'll see if I can get a photo of a new baby bean coming through and post it on here.

[veggiechicken]

Mine are still flowering and because I just happen to have a photo of my Martock broad beans taken yesterday I'll show you!!

[Urban]

I'm not to keen on the full sized beans either, much better when they are small, I will have to try them in there pods next time I grow them

Thing I liked best about them was the amazing scent the flowers gave off, The bees loved them as well

[kathyd]

Pics as promised

[Two_Sheds]

Eat them young & tender

Mine are late this year, about a month behind

[wildside]

thanks all not long to go then i have got a few about 5 inches but not enough for a meal but may have on sunday to go with my last spring cabbage lovely

[Florence Fennel]

Thing I liked best about them was the amazing scent the flowers gave off, The bees loved them as well

I'd never noticed this before! I went to smell the flowers and there were a few bees dancing around - smashing, thanks Urban. I don't have any pods yet, but no blackfly, which is a first.

[chris]

No blackfly on my broadies,which are about 2-3" in length.. but my blackcurrant bushes - covered in them :/

[Florence Fennel]

I'm not holding my breath chris, I know they'll be along sometime very soon! (The blackfly as well as the beans)

[chris]

Given mine are only... 20' away, I'l expecting mine will be infested today. Hoping to get up to the plot after work to plant my squash out, so we'll see!