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Talkback: Harvesting broad beans

Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
in Talkback
Any tips on dealing with the blackfly please? First time growing runner beans myself and have just cropped them but noticed blackfly on some of the beans and I think they have been left a little too long as some are nearly 12" long now.

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  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    We live in the mountains outside Nelspruit, a sub tropical area in South Africa near the Mozambique border and w've planted broad beans for the first time. We are approximately 50 miles (80 km) from the coast as the crow flies at and our farm lies at an altitude of 4000ft. Broad beans are not usually grown in this area but the plants seem to be growing and producing well in temperatures exceeding 90F (32C) and as yet we haven't experienced any pest or disease problems although the runner beans growing alongside them have got rust due to prolonged torential rain. Nov rainfall was 365mm). The pods are currently about 4 inches (100mm) long and we're looking forward to harvesting them shortly. Any tips on the best way to prepare them for the table will be appreciated.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Top broad bean tip: Once your plants have finished cropping, cut the stems down to about 1in above the ground. New shoots will develop, which will flower and produce a second crop.
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