Broad beans finished.

[brownfingers]

Just taken the last broad beans off and chopped down the plants ready to dig over, get some growmore in, and get the borlottis in. . Had a bumper crop with just a spot of bother from blackfly in the last week. Last year I just froze the beans straight from the plant. They seemed to need a tad more boiling and were still a bit tougher than expected. Is it better to blanch first?

[Marb67]

You should have left them to get a second crop.

[Dorothy rouse]

Don't think it makes a great deal of difference whether blanched or not, but I think the 'outer skin' seems to be tougher after freezing, so would always remove it, even though it's a bit of a pain to do so, so much nicer. I didn't have have sufficient to freeze any this year, ate them all very small and tiny, and pulled them all up a couple of weeks ago, ground needed for winter stuff.

[kris1960]

You should have left them to get a second crop.

How does that work and do you cut back? I probably have another week in my broad beans and would certainly like to extend the crop!

[kathyd]

I've noticed they seem to grow again from the base, sending up new shoots. I think I'd cut them back yes, unless anyone tells you different?

[PyreneesPlot]

Yes, I cut back for a second crop too, although not this year as I had bad chocolate spot.
As for freezing, I blanch and shell first - it is a pain with a big crop but does make for a quick reheat in a small pan with plenty of butter. MrPP has been trained to shell.