As the broad beans grow, it’s best to pinch out the tips. We do this firstly at 30cms and again at about 60cm.

These tips can be eaten raw in salads or steamed as a green vegetable. This makes the plants short and stocky and will give you a good bean crop and no real need for staking. If your plants get too tall however, they may need staking.  As broad beans aren’t heavy, a bamboo stake works fine. It’s best to keep the plants off the soil as this encourages a few fungal issues if you live in a warmer humid area.  We’ll do a webisode on growing broad beans next season towards the end of winter.