Do Broad beans need a trellis?
Broad beans don’t have twining tendrils like other beans and peas so they need something to lean against, like a trellis, plant stakes or other bean plants.
Do broad beans need staking?
As the plants grow you will need to stake them to prevent the fragile stems from bending or breaking and pods being damaged. Stake after the seedlings are up and use anything from pea sticks to bamboo with string to support the plant.
Do broad beans need to climb?
Support broad beans when they start to grow
Now that the broad beans have started to grow they need to be supported, as broad beans are not climbers you would have to support each plant if you used pea sticks or canes. The easiest way is to enclose the whole row.
What is the best way to support broad beans?
Taller varieties of broad bean need supporting with canes and string – place strong supports at the end of each row, and then wrap rows of string around them, 30cm apart, to support the plants. Be sure to put in the supports in while the plants are still small.
Can beans grow without a trellis?
Bush beans grow compactly (reaching about two-feet tall) and do not require extra support from a structure like a trellis. Pole beans grow as climbing vines that may reach 10 to 15 feet tall and require a trellis or staking.
What to do with leggy broad beans?
Re: Broad beans sowed indoors recently and now leggy
You were right to start them when you did. These early ones will probably escape much blackfly. I find they are a better alternative to overwintering. The trick is to put them outside as soon as the first ones emerge.
How tall do broad beans get?
Longpod. The Longpod is the most common variety of broad bean and has long, slender pods (hence the name). This type of broad bean is usually heavy cropping with each pod containing around 10 beans. Longpod is the largest type and the plants can reach heights of over 2 metres and so need supporting.
How do you get beans to climb?
Purchase stakes or cut long strips of wood at six to eight foot lengths. Hammer them into the ground next to where you intend to plant the beans, then plant seeds at the foot of the stake. The beans will grow and wind up and around.
How many broad beans should I plant?
Broad beans have a very good germination rate so it’s only necessary to sow one seed for every broad bean plant wanted. Sow a couple more seeds at the end of a row just in case one or two plants don’t grow. For dwarf varieties sow seeds 15cm / 6in apart, for taller growing varieties sow 23cm / 9in apart.
How hardy are broad beans?
Broad beans have an incredible capacity to withstand winter weather. Hardy down to an icy -10°C (14°F), these rugged members of the legume family are able to germinate at just 2°C (36°F).
Can you plant broad beans in winter?
Broad beans are straightforward to grow from seed, usually sown in late winter (indoors or outdoors with protection) or spring (outdoors), although in mild regions they can also be sown in late autumn.
What time of year do you plant broad beans?
spring
When to grow broad beans
Broad beans are normally sown in the spring, from February to April. However some varieties are particularly hardy and can be sown in autumn from October to November (provided that the soil is still reasonably warm). November sowings usually germinate within 2-3 weeks.