If you want to grow broad beans, when is the best time to sow them?
The answer, of course, is it depends.
Autumn Sowing
• If you sow in October/November you will have an earlier crop than those sown in spring (estimated 30 weeks from sowing). The plants are also less likely to suffer from blackfly compared to spring sown plants.
• Broad beans are remarkably resilient in cold weather, though if it gets towards -10C (14F), they will need covering with a cloche. Autumn sowing is more suitable for milder parts of the country.
Spring Sowing
• If you sow Feb-May, you will have later crops than autumn sown but you will need to watch out for blackfly.
• It’s best to start seeds off under cover (cold frame/cloche/unheated greenhouse or polytunnel) in Feb-March in cell trays filled with multipurpose compost. Then plant out April-May.
Top tip: If you have a very windy plot, grow dwarf varieties such as ‘The Sutton’ or ‘Robin Hood , or be prepared to stake taller varieties.