Your comments and tips

01 Nov 09, gary (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Lindsay, it's both. Broad beans are legumes meaning they convert nitrogen in the atmosphere into nitrogen in the soil. The nitrogen is attached to their roots and becomes available in the soil once the beans die down. The best approach is to cut the plants off at soil level once they've finished for the season. You can then lay the tops on the soil or use it as mulch elsewhere in the garden. It, too adds nitrogen to the soil as it beaks down.

Reply or Post a new comment

25 Oct 09, Leslie W. (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I have planted Broad beans and they are flowering, but some of the leaves are reluctant to unfold. The next planting is worse. No insects are visible. Anyone got any clues leslie

Reply or Post a new comment

22 May 10, Henk van der Pols (Australia - temperate climate)

About half of my broad bean leaves are kind of 'curled up'. There does not seem to be a fungus of any kind. Any brilliant ideas, anyone?

Reply or Post a new comment

19 Oct 09, LIndsay (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I know broad beans are good for the soil. Is it the growing that puts the goodness in the soil or burying the empty pods and plants that puts the goodness in the soil or is it both?

Reply or Post a new comment

14 Sep 09, Emily (Australia - temperate climate)

My beans are growing very well!! Well not the actual fruit itself but the bush is plenty and many more flowers are budding daily. I guess i need to wait till the temperature heats up a bit, for the beans to form. However, do i need a terrace or something for the beans to climb up on.

Reply or Post a new comment

12 Sep 09, pigflyin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

our beans are podding furiously for the last few weeks. about 6 inches long.... hardest part is to decide when to pick them. Got in 2 today, one is good size, one too small. FUN! pick off the growing tip does seems to encourage the pod to fatten faster... or it must be my wishful thinking.

Reply or Post a new comment

10 Sep 09, Brian (Australia - temperate climate)

Our beans are growing well, with lots of flowers that the bees are enjoying. But on the whole patch, there is only one pod forming. Should we be patient and expect the others to follow the lone example? Is there anything we can do to encourage podding?

Reply or Post a new comment

07 Sep 09, Trent (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I'm growing BB for the first time and have noticed on a few of the plants the leaves are curling up lengthwise, starting from the tips of the plants. It doesn't look like a pest but I suspect it's a deficiency.Can anyone shed some light on this?

Reply or Post a new comment

29 Aug 09, Cherry (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

This is the first time I have grown BB. How long after the plant flowers do you start to get the bean pods please.

Reply or Post a new comment

27 Aug 09, Zoidberg (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Yes Nat you are right, the broad beans won't be killed by frost but they won't set pods in cool weather. You just have to wait until it's warm enough in your area for the pods to form - for us about mid-Spring.

Reply or Post a new comment