Broad Bean staking

[SP1965]

Should my supports be closer to the beans?

[roitelet]

They would be better in line with the plants at the end of the rows. Then you can take a string down one side of the row and back up the other side. If the rows are long then extra sticks either side of the plants in the middle of the rows will help to keep the string taught.

[WendyC]

Could you make a grid of string, criss crossing the beans, then they can grow up in between and be supported.

[Bren In Pots]

Could you make a grid of string, criss crossing the beans, then they can grow up in between and be supported.

Thats what I do as well.

[Greenleaves]

Me too, saves time not having to keep tying in

[Dorothy rouse]

Whoops, think I've done mine wrong, I've used an individual pea cane ( small/blue one) next to each broad bean and tied plant to it. Oh well.

[Bren In Pots]

Whoops, think I've done mine wrong, I've used an individual pea cane ( small/blue one) next to each broad bean and tied plant to it. Oh well.

Dotty not wrong just different and anyway least they won't fall over

[arpoet]

I do both.. I short cane for each plant in the double row, then as they start to set pods I string the canes on both sides of the plants.

[broadway]

I've not supported mine! Seem to be doing ok?

First time, I've grown them properly, pretty impressed so far

[Two_Sheds]

Should my supports be closer to the beans?

well your support isn't supporting anything

I've used an individual pea cane...and tied plant to it.

I usually do the corral of canes/string in a cat's cradle effect, but had a couple of broadies that came up alone, so they got a cane each.
And guess what? The caned ones are lots taller than the rest, so you're onto something here Dorothy

I've not supported mine! Seem to be doing ok?

It depends how windy your site is
If you get gales at all, the plants, when fully laden, can bend and snap

[Jeanied]

Or you could grow dwarf varieties like The Sutton.

[broadway]

Mine are in a RB in the garden so obviously get more shelter than an open plot

[Kristen]

Or you could grow dwarf varieties like The Sutton.

I grew that once and was very disappointed with the crop I [didn't really!] get. Only grew them once, so not a scientific test. Dunno what other folk's experiences have been (sorry about the pun!)?

[alldigging]

Don't stake mine - if they bend with the wind they still grow. If they snap well it's tough. Not had any snap yet.

[Dorothy rouse]

Or you could grow dwarf varieties like The Sutton.

some of mine are Suttons, but they still get bushy and fall over a bit, and if then the flowers can get all muddy, so mine are tied up, (not exactly staked), the others are Red Epicure, and definitely bigger.