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06 Feb 14, primrose (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)

Can I cuk broad beans with samp???

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26 Dec 13, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)

This year I've had a fairly good crop of broad beans (Fava beans) in my small back yard. I left them to grow wild with grass and weeds growing around because it is impossible to eradicate them, especially if the beans are often watered during dry spells, and weedicide is not an option. Each stem had at least from 6 to eight pods of about 6 inches long or smaller. Maybe it is a smaller type of broad beans but quite delicious. I have had no problems with pests, mainly the white butterflies who roster on the plants in the evenings, but I did notice extensive brown powdery colour on their leaves. Not intending to spray the plants, I hosed most of it off the leaves but the damage had already been done to the leaves, however, the plants seemed to cope will with what looks like brown fungal residue. I planted my broad beans early October and they have grown well. I planted another patch near if and now are 5 inches (15cm) high. Looks like I will get another crop on late February provided they get water and or rain. There has been no snail damage whatsoever, as I keep these pests in check with snail pellets around the perimeter of the crop. I have also noticed a number of Ladybugs on the broad beans leaves. I let them stay as these beautiful insects monitor the plants for suspected pest activities such as Aphids, etc.

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08 Nov 13, Bob smith (Australia - temperate climate)

My beans have stopped growing.... Why?

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02 Mar 14, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Bob, Your beans are probably given up due to the heat. Broad beans grow better in the cooler weather in subtropical areas.

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25 Oct 13, Carol (Australia - temperate climate)

I planted my broad beans around our fruit trees which are netted to keep the kangaroos and deer away from them and I have a great crop. Have now planted tomatoes in early October under the broad beans as I figured they would be protected from the elements and warm and they are doing well. Just read on this site not to dig the broadbeans out but cut them off and leave the roots there as they will be beneficial to the soil, I will use the rest of the plants in my compost. So thank you.

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11 Oct 13, Debbie (Australia - temperate climate)

We have had a fantastic crop of broad beans (our first year growing them) and wondered if anyone knows about drying them. You often see recipes for using dried fava beans but we are not sure how to go about this. We do have a food dehydrator but there is no mention of broad beans in the instructions.

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22 Oct 13, Andrew S (Australia - temperate climate)

G'day Debbie Best way we dried the beans was to either keep them in the pod on the plant and let them dry naturally as summer picked up , or place them on a drying rack in the shade on a hot day. Again we found the best ones were those that dried in pods. What you don't eat becomes next years crop. Going to try some in a plate drying this year.

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28 Sep 13, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)

My broad beans were planted from seed the end of march. I have used seasol + seasol vegetable concentrate once a week lightly watered in a watering can mix then a deep water. The flowers started in July and the plants are 200cm high. the beans started beginning September and are now in full bloom. be patient and topping the plants to avoid over-growth and limiting new bottom shoots will help stimulate the beans. water morning and evening for late bloomers. When the bees start to move on your in for a bumper crop.

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13 Sep 13, frank (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

My broad beans plants are being eaten from the upper stalk to middle of stalk including all flowers, leaves and baby pods. What is eating them???No parrots around yet !! or Possums ?? sending me crazy

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04 Sep 13, Larsy (Australia - temperate climate)

My broad beans appear to have rust spots appearing on the leaves. I want to save seed from these plants. Will the rust affect the next generation if the seed is saved?

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