Spring sown broad beans can be started in individual polypots or seed trays from the end of January onwards then put out as soon as the ground can be made ready. Or they can be sown direct into the ground from late February. Plants will need staking because a good crop of pods can make them top heavy. When the plants are about 30-36 ins. tall the tops should be pinched out to encourage side shoots and to deter blackfly. Broad beans grown in fertile soil should not need extra manuring, they make a good rotational crop to follow brassicas and precede roots or salads. Their roots carry nitrogenous nodules and can be left in the ground as an organic fertiliser to feed the next crop.
Very young broad beans can be eaten in the pod, they should be picked early enough to prevent the bean skins from becoming tough. Broad bean tops are edible but are often unpalatable. Seeds can be dried and used later, or frozen fresh immediately after picking. The Windsor bean seed goes dark when dried and is used as a base for 'Brown Windsor' soup.
Recipe:
Tomatoes stuffed with Broad Beans
- Quick, easy and more-ish: Boil and drain Broad Beans. Scoop out large tomatoes.
Fry the contents with oil and garlic. Pulp the beans, tomato contents, salt,
pepper and fresh herbs. Fill the tomato cases and bake at 375F for 20 mins.