The three types of broad bean are progressing well but unfortunately the weed control fabric did not keep the bean weevils at bay, although weeding has been totally unnecessary. Fortunately despite redesigning the leaves the weevils have done little damage.
The first lot planted - Witkiem Manita - have started to produce bean pods.
The second lot - Masterpiece Green Longpod are flowering and quickly catching up. These are the ones nearest in the photo below .
In the centre you can just make out the more diminutive Crimson Flowered variety. They won't grow as tall and to be honest we grow them as much for the flowers as the beans. If you haven't noticed the lovely perfume produced by broad bean flowers, then have a sniff. It seems especially strong later in the day or when it is warm and sunny.
The first lot of French beans have been planted through weed control fabric too and are looking happy. More seeds have been sown in the garden greenhouse.
Three varieties of runner beans and climbing French bean - Cobra - are also starting to grow away.
The bottom leaves look a bit sorry - probably as a result of being wind battered, however the plants are producing strong shoots so at this stage we're not worried.
So will our freezers be full of beans? At the moment I'm not going to count our beans until they are picked!
PS: By the way if you haven't read enough about our gardening antics then I also keep a monthly diary page on my website. June's page is here. The diary goes back to 2007.
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You are growing some of my favourite varieties - Cobra and Witkiem Manita. Which Runners have you got?
ReplyDeleteI think my BB crop will be pretty thin this year. The plants look thin and weedy in comparison with other years.
It's because of you that we are growing Cobra, Mark. Other runners are Desiree - white flowers, Lady Di - red flowers and St George - red and white flowers.
DeleteThose crimson flowered broad beans are so pretty. I've sown lots of beans direct this year as the first lot I sowed in pots were reluctant to germinate, I've never had problems with them before.
ReplyDeleteWe don't usually direct sow beans, Jo. So I wonder if compost has an effect on your poor germination issues?
DeleteI grew the crimson flowered ones last year. They look very pretty out on the plot, I can't remember at this moment what broad beans were sown for this year The first harvest was however was very tasty.
ReplyDeleteThe crimson flowers do attract comments from other plotters, Jo
DeleteMy broad beans were doing really well until all the strong winds. Even though I protected them with a wind break, most of the top flowers blew/fell off without setting. The lower flowers hung on and so I've got lots of beans but only a third / half way up the plants! The tops look healthy though and I think they sometimes flower twice so I'll leave the plants to see what happens. We had our first crop today and I made a soup with them :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame, Lou I hope the rest hang on
DeleteThat Crimson Flowered variety looks really pretty, a reason itself to grow beans! Good luck with your harvest, hope your freezer will be full :-)
ReplyDeletelots of fruit and vegetables have lovely flowers don't they, Helene?
DeleteMy beans really seem to have come on this last week or so...can't wait to be harvesting and eating them!!
ReplyDeleteWE are ready to pounce on the broad beans which are just not quite ready yet, Tanya
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