I managed to sow some broad beans on the 28th of November, a little late but they are in none the less. I do this every year with my broad beans, over winter them so they are ready to harvest around May. Because both me and my Dad have plots we came up with a plan to share the crops and due to my allotment getting more of the Winter sun I will be growing the broad beans over winter and my Dad will be growing a few rows in the Spring. This means that once my broad beans are harvested I have enough time to pop something else in it’s place, which also means that I can get more crops from my very small plot.
The variety of broad bean which I have sown is called ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ and it is extremely hardy making it perfect for the colder months. This is the variety that I grow every year and even though this years crop wasn’t the best, last years was amazing. The plants grew to over 4 foot and I was harvested broad beans left right and center!
I sowed 2 rows at 9 inches apart, each bean was sown at a depth of 2 inches and 6 inches apart. If the temperatures drop dramatically I will cover the beans with a cloche or some fleece, although they will definitely need to be covered with a netted hoop once they appear otherwise the birds will pull them up.
Fingers crossed for a good harvest next Spring, I love broad beans and luckily we are still eating the crop from last year that we put in the freezer!
3 thoughts on “Overwintering Broad Beans”
I was wondering if these will be vine or bush type plants? Also do you harvest them young in the pods as green beans or shell them as dry beans for use in soup and other dishes for the following winter? I might just try planting some this year.. Thank you for this post and for the detail planting instructions. Wishing you an abundant harvest next May!
This is my third year I planted broad beans, so far no beans. In my climate I either plant them at the wrong time or the will not grow. Thank you for the post.
Ours went in a few days before yours, same variety. I love broad beans too x