Broad beans

[darcyvuqua]

I have a few seedlings about a foot high they seem to be there very leggy and flimsy I have never grown them before do they require supports?

Any advice would be great I have seen that you should pinch out before blackfly take hold but thats it!

[sowitgrowit]

A foot may be a bit tall to survive the winter weather. I assume they are outside. I would be inclined to put canes at either end of the row and string between to support. Maybe sow a few in case of casualties.

[bearded bloke]

As above,plus maybe drape fleece over to stop/reduce "wind burn"

[rustylady]

Are they in open ground Darcy, or under cover in pots?

[darcyvuqua]

Undercover in pots RL just a trial run as I can sow again in spring thought I would give winter growing/sowing a go

[bearded bloke]

In that case loosely tied to a cane/stick,nip the tip out when the flower buds appear at the very top of the plant

[Alison]

I'd not nip the tops out unless there was a blackfly problem, it's not guaranteed and I've rarely had any. Just keep an eye on them and act if necessary. At the moment I'd be more worried about the legginess, make sure they're supported and have sufficient light.

[Soooz]

The broad bean plants I have put in are similarly tall and lanky - and one of them is being nibbled down to nothing by something - not sure what, no evidence of slugs. I tied mine up to a cane about a month ago and they are planted out in my small veg patch, so unless the sun decides to come out, there's no chance of any extra light! It is very windy in my garden though - neighbours cut down some very mature trees last year and at times its like being in a wind tunnel out there. Would fleece help? Or would that cut out too much light?

[Two_Sheds]

The broad bean plants I have put in are similarly tall and lanky

They were sown too early then. Not of much use to you now, but for next year ...

I wouldn't bother trying to fleece or otherwise protect it, because you've got months of windy cold weather to come yet. I would cut it down to about 4" high. It will resprout, stronger, in the spring.

[Kristen]

... but for next year ...

Or this year even? Will be sowing mine shortly ... although "resprout" probably a better option as it will use existing root system.

[Soooz]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Time to fess up that I, ahem ,, bought the plants from the local garden centre as they were cheaper than getting a packet of seeds and I thought i was passed the sowing time anyway. They were about 3" when I bought them in late November and had put on another 2" before I got them into the ground and are now around 12".

If I nip them down to 4" high, then they will only have a coule of sets of leaves each - is this enough to overwinter? And should I protect from heavy frost?

[Two_Sheds]

are now around 12"

Why did they put on so much growth? Are they very warm, or very shaded?
Did you harden them off properly before planting them out?

If I nip them down to 4" high, then they will only have a coule of sets of leaves each - is this enough

Yes. I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise

should I protect from heavy frost?

That depends on the variety, some being hardier (tougher) than others.

I leave mine out all winter ~ I doubt that your garden is much colder than mine, you being in the city where you benefit from residual building heat.
I might lose one or two plants in a very very cold winter. It's very normal to lose a few tops to frost (they turn black and frazzled-looking), but the roots are unaffected by the cold, and throw out new shoots in the spring.

[Soooz]

Broad beans now duly nipped to 4"; green tops going into tonight's dinner.

No idea why they grew so much - but when I cut the jasmine back from my kitchen window to let in more light the clematis rambling through it was sprouting green shoots, the rhododendron at the bottom of the garden is showing red flower buds and there's a daisy flowering defiantly in the lawn! Maybe the plants are adapting to living in low light levels after a string of grotty summers.

I've put some netting over the beans just incase its pigeons nibbling them - no signs of slugs - I put down a wooden plank that I thought they would hide under, but nothing there. Suppose if its warm enough for daisies, then there could be caterpillars about?